HO CHI MINH CITY, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Officials and experts from members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and international organizations gathered on Tuesday in Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City to seek ways of supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
At the APEC Workshop on Enabling MSME Access to the Digital Economy, the delegates discussed measures to create more favorable conditions, fully tap flows of information and sharpen digital skills for MSMEs to join the digital economy.
The digital economy will create more opportunities for MSMEs to take part in global value chains, and bring about equal and sustainable development for them.
However, MSMEs often face obstacles in expanding business in the digital economy due to difficulties relating to broadband Internet connection, personal information security, awareness of online presence and development, and high cost of information technology equipment.
Also on Tuesday, during the APEC 2017 Start-up Forum, delegates discussed measures to enable MSMEs to innovate, integrate and access to the global value chains right at their nascent business stage, and to speed up the sustainable and environment-friendly socioeconomic growth.
They exchanged views on issues as innovative start-up in the digital era, education and training on entrepreneurship, business services for startups, and sustainable business start-ups.
The forum created an opportunity for APEC member economies to share experiences, ideas and tools to support business start-ups, thereby to form a dynamic and networked APEC Start-ups Community.
