WUSME at UNCTAD World Investment Forum 2023 to address SMEs Internationalization

WUSME participated in the 8th World Investment Forum held on October 16-20 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates with the contribution of the Board Member Vinod Kumar to the SME Internationalization roundtable on “Promoting FDI by SMEs”.

The session brought together policymakers, business leaders and representatives from international organizations to explore the challenges and opportunities associated with the internationalization of SMEs. The panel discussed how to reduce the common investment policy bias in home and host countries towards large MNEs, the role of SMEs in South-South and intra-regional FDI, and ways and means to maximize the development impact of SME-FDI.

Mr. Kumar highlighted how internationalization can be an important strategy for the survival, growth, and long-term viability of SMEs, however, the uncertainties and resource demands associated with foreign investments hinder their international growth.

WUSME promotes international cooperation, fostering linkages between SMEs, governments, institutions and value chains; promotes the creation of business alliances and strengthening the international networks that shall originate opportunities for international trade of SMEs, enabling them to reap the benefits of globalization.