2018 APEC SME O2O Initiative
Unleash the Potential of SMEs through Digital Transformation for a Shared Future
Chinese Taipei; Malaysia; The Philippines; Thailand; Viet Nam
1.Introduction
The rapid developments in digital technologies have highlighted the significance of digital transformation for SMEs with regards to their future survival. According to a 2015 report of eMarketer, Asia-Pacific region has become the largest market of digital economy, accounting for 33% of total global market share, boosting SMEs’ growth and creating jobs (eMarketer, 2015).
However, only a few SMEs in APEC are currently taking full advantage of digital transformation. While digital transformation opens up the door to infinite business opportunities, it also exposes SMEs to cyber risks. Digital market is expected to increase 11% by 2020 (PSU, 2017), indicated by a research of APEC PSU. Moreover, according PwC’s 20th CEO survey, 23% of CEOs consider strengthening the innovation in order to seize the new business opportunities, while 15% of CEOs try to focus on building their digital and technology capabilities to increase their competitiveness in the future (PwC, 2017).
Building upon the momentum gained from the former O2O initiatives, this initiative is tailored to increase digital competitiveness of SMEs while undertaking digital transformation, with a special focus on strengthening SME digital resilience against growing concerns of cyber threats that can cause severe supply-chain disruptions. This capacity building project will expand its influences by cooperating with 4 economies to implement 9 serial events, aiming to benefit innovative start-ups and SMEs in APEC.
2.Objectives
In response to APEC Leaders and Ministers’ instruction regarding digital economy in 2016 and the 2017 theme “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”, this capacity-building initiative, as the 3rd phase of the O2O Initiative, aims to:
1) Optimize the digital innovation ecosystem.
2) Enhance SME competitiveness and resilience.
3) Capitalize on O2O opportunities and prepare for challenges
3. Main Activities Proposed
The following activities will be conducted to maximize the influence of this Initiative:
1) Serve as cross-border platform, providing networking, showcasing and mentoring resources for startups and SMEs via holding 9 serial events, including 1 Summit, 4 O2O fora, and 4 Train-the-Trainer Workshops in 5 APEC cities.
2) Disseminate the impact of O2O initiative through cooperating with at least 4 co-proposing economies by holding serial events in APEC region with Cross-Fora/Organizations and PPP collaboration.
3) Release a report "Featured Story of the SMEs Adopting Digital Transformation and O2O Application in the Asia Pacific".