With increased globalization of the world economy, SMEs need a mechanism to deal with a variety of economic crises. The first important task of the Center is to organize an expert team to monitor crisis and publish the results of the monitoring—“APEC SME Economic Crisis Monitor,” for APEC SMEs each month. In order to discuss the methods of the monitoring and the format of “APEC SME Economic Crisis Monitor,” we will invite the members of the expert team to attend the “Workshop on the SME Economic Crisis Monitor” in Taipei from May 21 to May 22, 2010. The venue and accommodation will be at Landis Resort, Yangmingshan. The two-day meeting will offer an excellent opportunity for an exchange of views among team members.

Regarding to the “APEC SME Crisis Management Training Workshop”, it will be held on May 24-28, 2010 in Taipei. The venue and accommodation will be at Grand Formosa Regent Taipei. This 5-day workshop is to familiarize workshop trainees with the nature of the international economic crises that would affect SMEs’ operation and the impacts they may generate on SMEs. It will also help the workshop trainees be aware of the importance of a Crisis Management Plan (CMP) to SMEs’ business operation and provide them with skills to draw a clear and useful CMP. The workshop will also address the strategies to prepare and respond to the crises.

To register for these two activities, please follow the instructions provided in the attached Administrative Circular. It is recommended that registration would be done on-line at www.apecscmc.org/2010. It can also be done by e-mail or by fax if on-line registration is not accessible. The deadline for registration and hotel booking is May 7, 2010. The sponsored participants are required to purchase airline tickets by themselves after getting approval from APEC Secretariat for their quoted airfares. Questions relating to logistical arrangements should be directed to at the secretariat of the APEC SME Crisis Management Center.

Given the importance of SMEs in our economies today and in the future, we do hope to receive your continuous support and active contribution to the success of the upcoming event. Thank you very much for your kind attention and cooperation, we look forward to seeing you at this significant APEC event in Taipei.