Dubai SME Conference and Exhibition ‘Countries in the Middle East region can effectively create new employment opportunities for their youth by promoting and developing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through a series of targeted support programmes, like learning how to use UNIDO software for effective business performance management. It helps entrepreneurs to monitor key performance indicators, productivity, quality and competitiveness of their enterprises, develop new business culture and knowledge gain. All these provide necessary managerial capacity for much better sustainability and profitability of businesses under the pressure of globalization and need for innovation and continuous change. Much need to be done to achieve these objectives as nowadays most of the entrepreneurs runs still their businesses without planning the budget for the next year, quantitative monitoring of costs and results, making the important “mission critical” decisions without in-depth analysis of options and its consequences’, according to Dr. Serge Golovanov, President of GOLEM IMS GmbH, Vienna, Austria and United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) International Consultant. Dr. Golovanov was one of the growing pool of reputed speakers addressed the International Conference and Exhibition for Small and Medium Enterprises (ISMEDubai) hold in Dubai from January 31 to February 2, 2005. He spoke about facilitating innovation and economic growth in Arab countries with special reference to the UNIDO methodology and information tools for business performance management and benchmarking to improve business efficiency. The conference, which was supported by the Dubai Department of Economic Development (DED) was being organised by Seagull Exhibitions and Conferences Organising. Al Tomooh programme of Emirates Bank and Pepsi Cola were two of the main sponsors of the event. "In the globalization era it is crucial for SMEs to be integrated in the international market and to be competitive and it is generally recognized that regardless of size, companies need to become innovative in order to stay competitive,' said Mrs. Simona Marzetti, Secretary General INSME, Italy. 'INSME aims to contribute to the promotion of innovation processes in SMEs by increasing transnational cooperation and public-private partnership for technology transfer with a view to matching the demand for and the offer of knowledge. I would like to felicitate the local authorities in Dubai for the organization of a special international event dedicated to small and medium sized enterprises in the Middle East region as is important to increase awareness about the key role that micro, small and medium firms play in our society,' she added. 'We have been overwhelmed at the interest that this conference has generated among participants and speakers worldwide,' said Khalid Al Kassim, Deputy Director General, DED. 'Currently, most countries are extending support to SMEs to help build their competencies to operate in the new competitive environment. Such initiatives are becoming increasingly important for creating new jobs in view of shrinking job opportunities in large enterprises and MNCs. We hope this conference will go a long way towards building an enabling environment for SME development thereby generating greater scope for employment,' he added. 'A strong entrepreneurial culture is essential for the future competitiveness of the economy and for generating economic growth,' said Dr. Syd Gilani, Associate Professor of Business Administration, American University in Dubai and another speaker at the conference. 'SMEs can create many jobs within a short period of time by increasing the revenue base and adding to the growth of national income, and may provide substitutes for imported goods. As such, this conference is not only timely but is highly strategic in nature,' he added. With just days left to go for the event, ISMEDubai conference has attracted several international speakers including Dr. Hashim S. Hussein, Head of United Nations Industrial Development Organization - Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO-ITPO), the Arab Regional Centre for Entrepreneurship and Investment Training (ARCEIT) - Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Guriqbal Singh Jaiya, Director of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Division, WIPO Switzerland and Hany Seif Al Nasr, Managing Director, Social Fund for Development. (SFD) Egypt. Dr. Hashim Suleiman Hussein Head of (UNIDO-ITPO), Bahrain and a speaker at the conference said: 'The SME International exhibition and conference will provide a platform for entrepreneurs from the region to widen their vision and scope of intra-business relations as well as with the rest of the world. This event will be an excellent opportunity to highlight the importance of developing domestic Investment to access and promote Foreign Direct Investment by linking entrepreneurs from the region with the global network.' According to Dr. Arun Agrawal, Secretary General of the World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME), 'The SME International Conference and Exhibition in Dubai is very opportune and would provide new directions in the establishment of a growth-enabling environment for SMEs in UAE. Besides, it would help nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in Dubai, catalyse the growth of SMEs and create new job opportunities for young graduates. WASME is pleased to join hands with its member company in Dubai, Seagull Group, in a maiden attempt to bring its rich and varied experience in developing and supporting SMEs to UAE Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) occupy a dominant position in almost all economies of the world. More than 99 per cent of enterprises in European countries, USA and Japan are SMEs, contributing to more than 50 per cent of employment. Innovations, new technologies, highest possible performance and efficiency are among the main issues challenging SMEs in Arab countries. The conference provided participants with an overview of current initiatives, advanced solutions and international experiences and achievements. Addtional links and sources: AME Info: Middle East business resource International Network for SME CONFERENCE AGENDA_ENGLISH (.DOC) 
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