APEC Ministers issue first-ever joint statement to bolster trade and SME development

Big Sky, Montana, 20 May 2011 – A first-ever joint statement by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) was issued today.

At the Big Sky meeting, APEC Ministers addressed:

 The importance of SMEs to APEC economies
 Top barriers to SMEs trading in the region, including lack of access to financing, lack of capacity to internationalize and the need for open and transparent business environments.
 Actions to address top barriers to SMEs trading in the region

The 2011 Joint Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade and Ministers Responsible for Small and Medium Enterprises can be accessed at:
http://www.apec.org/en/Meeting-Papers/Ministerial-Statements/Trade/2011_joint_tradeSME.aspx
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