The meeting of experts and decision makers on ‘Increasing Prospects for Rapid and Sustainable Socio-Economic Development through Business Incubators and Entrepreneurship’ was successfully conducted, from 21 to 23 October 2003, at the Sheraton Utama Hotel, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. The meeting was enriched by six different critical perspectives of the experts from South Africa, Zambia, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Peru, and Brunei Darussalam. They presented comprehensive papers for the meeting on: (1) Business Incubators as a Tool for Promoting Small and Medium Entreprises; (2) Capacity Building and Training Programme to Enhance Competitiveness of SMEs; (3) Financing and Source of Fund for Business Incubation; (4) Access to Technology and New Product Development; (5) Fostering SME’s Sustainable Integration into Global Markets; and (6) Institutional Support for the Development of SMEs.

 

Seven country reports were also presented by participants from Lesotho, Namibia, Nigeria, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Panama. A number of country reports were included in the meeting kits for reference. The agenda of the meeting was conducted in four sessions, i.e.: presentation of the experts; presentation of the selected country reports; field visit to industrial complex and site; and group discussion and summary of the meeting.

 

The outputs of the meeting are practically reflected by the views, conclusions and recommendations made by the three different groups. Group 1 which discussed ‘Macro Issues’ has clearly identified: (1) the role of government; (2) the problems affecting government policies; (3) the importance of donor contributions; and (4) the role of NAM CSSTC as supporting institution. Group 2 which discussed ‘Micro Issues’ has deliberated: (1) the type of government policies; (2) the social, economic and cultural issues; and (3) the proposal on entrepreneurship skills upgrading programme for SMEs by involving NAM CSSTC. Group3 which discussed ‘Critical Challenges’ in the setting-up of incubator elaborated critical issues of: (1) the philosophy of SMEs; (2) the role of the private sector; (3) the institutional supports; (4) the complementing and the government action on partnership, employment creation and mobilization of resources; and (5) the conclusions and recommendations, including for the NAM CSSTC’s future concrete works dealing with SMEs development.

 

This report covers all the proceeding of the meeting, substances discussed, as well as the  papers submitted by the expert to the Committee.