
Ever wondered what issues SMEs are facing in the rest of the world? Real Business took a look at some of the most recent news stories in the global press to find SMEs facing many of the same concerns we do at home.
(1) Ghana
According to CitiFM Online, mobile phone giant Vodafone and Global Access recently teamed up to organise a financial interaction fair for SMEs in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region. The theme of the fair was “Dreaming Ghana in the next 40 years and how it will affect SMEs,” and it was aimed at educating businesses and helping leaders and employees develop basic development skills. Head of SME at Vodafone business solutions, Jerry Quashie, told the 2,000 delegates that they had to be “consumer satisfaction orientated”. Dr Kwame Kwateng, lecturer at the KNUST business school, said the SMEs should give particular focus to good record-keeping for tax purposes, the provision of reliable data and adopting a “succession plan for a sustainable business”.(2) Armenia
The Arka News agency recently reported the findings of “The Situational and Comprehensive Monitoring of Small and Medium Businesses” study, which was conducted by the Republican Union of Employers of Armenia.(3) Singapore
The Straits Times reported that a marketing campaign called 99% SME had been launched to encourage the public to support smaller local firms. SMEs can advertise businesses on the digital platform and post offers. Singaporeans are encouraged to pledge their support for local firms and to shop, dine and buy from them during SME week, which will become an annual event. The organisers said the aim of the campaign was to “turn eyeballs to footfall”. Senior minister of state for trade and industry Lee Yi Shyan said: “In time to come, we can have a very vibrant SME sector in Singapore, serving not just the domestic market, but through our online platforms, reach out to regional and even global customers.”(4) Namibia
As reported in New Era, small business owners and entrepreneurs are being urged to participate in government wealth redistribution and poverty eradication schemes. SMEs are being encouraged to help with employment creation, community economic development and skills training.Share this story