As part of the Master Plan for Vietnam’s APEC Year 2017 and the implementation of the Ministerial Meeting on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) took the lead in organizing the APEC Startup Forum 2017. This high-level side event took place on September 12, 2017, in Ho Chi Minh City, in conjunction with the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting.
Supporting MSMEs through Innovation and Global Value Chains
The APEC Startup Forum 2017 was aligned with the core goals and priorities of APEC 2017—particularly in promoting the modernization of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The forum aimed to facilitate innovation, foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and provide startups with better access to global value chains from the very early stages of their development.
Held on September 12, the main event was preceded by a series of startup-focused activities designed to foster connectivity, visibility, and experience-sharing. These included:
- A Pitching Session connecting Vietnamese and regional startups with potential investors.
- Startup Showcases, where innovative MSMEs presented their products and services.
- A Thematic Workshop titled “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Dynamic Innovation in the APEC Region – Lessons from Canada.”
Regional Engagement and Forward-Looking Recommendations
The APEC Startup Forum attracted more than 350 delegates from 18 out of 21 APEC economies, underscoring strong regional interest in the development of startup ecosystems. Discussions focused on how to effectively build a robust and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem within the Asia-Pacific region.
The forum concluded with a joint statement highlighting the importance of supporting startups’ integration into the digital economy. Key recommendations were made to APEC leaders, calling for stronger policy support, cross-border collaboration, and greater investment in startup capacity-building and digital transformation.
