1. Second International SME Conference

2. Third International SME Conference

3. References

The SME Conference is organized annually by University of Management and Technology, Lahore in Lahore,Pakistan and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), Pakistan in collaboration with Association of Management Development Institutions in Pakistan (AMDIP). SME Conference is an initiative that brings together all stakeholders of [https://smeda.org/smeconference/ SME]s including SME representative bodies, Academia, Government, International Development Agencies, Financial Institutions, Large Scale Enterprises and Researches.

Second International SME Conference

After the success of the 1^stNational SME Conference, the 2nd SME Conference (International) was held on 15^th- 16^thMarch 2017at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore.

To promote such a research culture, specifically focusing on SMEs, the first National SME Conference was jointly organized by SMEDA and University of Management Technology (UMT) on 25^thMarch 2016 at Lahore.

After the success of the 1^stNational SME Conference, the 2nd SME Conference (International) was held on 15^th- 16^thMarch 2017at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore.

1.    Mr. Sher Ayub Khan, CEO,  Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)

2.    Dr. Hasan Sohaib Murad, Rector, University of Management Technology (UMT)

1.    Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority, Government of Pakistan

2.    School of Business and Economics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore

1.    University of Lahore

2.    George Mason University, USA

3.    Business Clusters, Networks and Economic Development (BCNED) – University of Surrey, UK

1.    Association of Management Development Institutions in Pakistan (AMDIP)

2.    United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

3.    Italian Development Cooperation (IDC)

4.    Subcontracting Partnership Exchange (SPX) Pakistan

5.    Akhuwat Foundation

The 2^ndSME Conference (International)provided a platform to stakeholders to share their research and institutional support structures for galvanizing SME sector development. While the primary purpose of the conference is to bridge the industry – academia gap, the conference also provided an opportunity to various public, private and international development organizations to interact and engage in meaningful dialogue for SME sector development.

The Conference,thus, aimed to:

·     Involve academia in SME specific empirical research

·     Highlight the challenges and prospects of SME sector in Pakistan

·     Provide platform to international development agencies and public and private sector business support organizations to share insights and experiences of SME development.

·     Develop synergies and institutional linkages

Shiekh Allauddin, Minister for Industries, Commerce & Investment, Government of Punjab

·     H.E. Serdar Deniz, Counsel General of the Republic of Turkey in Lahore

·     Mr. Khizar Hayat Gondal, Secretary, Ministry of Industries & Production

Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi, Minister for Industries & Production, Government of Pakistan

·     Dr. Shahid Amjad Chaudhry, Chairman, Association of Management Development Institutions in Pakistan / Rector Lahore School of Economics

·     Dr. Ijaz Qureshi, Dean Lahore Business School, University of Lahore

·     Dr. Robert F. Wheeler, Dean School of Business & Economics, University of Management Technology

The Conference was a 2 day event, with 4 sessions. The sessions were on the following thematic areas:

1.    Developing a Conducive Business Environment for SMEs

2.    Local & International Market Development for SMEs

3.    Enterprise & Entrepreneurship Development

4.    Access to Finance

Apart from the thematic session, SMEDA-UNIDO-Italia program, Subcontracting Partnership Exchange, Pakistan (SPX) was also launched during the Conference.

1.    Over 50 “SME Focused” research papers were received from all provinces of Pakistan, UK, Turkey and Malaysia. Desk Review Committee, comprising of Doctoral Faculty members of UMT and UOL and General Manager Policy & Planning SMEDA, undertook internal review of papers and shortlisted 20 manuscripts for double-blind review.

2.    Each paper was then sent to one local and one International Reviewer(PhD fellow/PhD Candidate having 2+ publications). Review by International professors for a conference is a maiden step in Pakistan.Finally 14 papers were selected for presentation.

1.    Based on evaluation score of double-blind review, 5 best papers were selected for Cash Award of PKR 25,000 each. Authors of best papers belong to BZU (Multan), IBA (Karachi), Open University (UK), and UMT.

Institutional delegates participated in the conference that include the following:

·     Mr. Yasuhiro Tojo, Chief Representative, JICA

·     Dr. Rebbeca Fox, George Mason University, USA

·     Ms. Karen Wrightsman, George Mason University, USA

·     Ms. Lin Zhao, CPEC Research Center

Each thematic area was chaired by Deans / Directors of Universities, with provincial representation. This included:

·     Dr. Jawad Syed, Suleman Dawood School of Business, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS)

·     Dr. Jan Mohammad, Director IMS, University of Balochistan, Quetta

·     Dr. Mehtab S. Karim, Vice Chancellor, Malir University of Science and Technology, Karachi

·     Mr. Saqib Chohan, City University of Science & Information Technology, Peshawar

·     Dr. Ijaz Qureshi, Dean, Lahore Business School, University of Lahore

·     Dr. Naveda Kitchlew , Associate Dean, School of Business & Economics, University of Management Technology, Lahore

The following SME experts shared their views during the conference, as part of the panel in each thematic area:

·     Mr. Rehmatullah Javed, Chairman & National Expert on SMEs; SME National Committee - FPCCI & LCCI

·     Engr. M.A. Jabbar, CEO, Qaim Automotive Mfg. (Pvt) Ltd

·     Mr. Khawar Anwar Khawaja, Chief Executive, Grays of Cambridge (Pak) Ltd.

·     Mr. Alamgir Chaudhry, CEO, Technology Up-gradation & Skill Development Company (TUSDEC)

There were approximately 250 participants in the conference. These participants included representatives of international development agencies, like USAID, UNIDO, the British Council, JICA, representatives from Chambers of Commerce & Industry, SMEs, academia and development practitioners.

1.    ‘Call for Papers’ was sent to VCs, Rectors, Dean and Directors of all HEC recognized universities of Pakistan through email as well as post mail. “Call for Papers/Posters” was also displayed in all HEC recognized universities of Pakistan.

2.    British Academy of Management (BAM), a highly prestigious research body of the world, promoted SME Conference on its web portal. BAM also shared information about 2^ndSME Conference among its member through its newsletter. Author of one of the papers, which also received best paper award, shared that he got information of SME conference through this newsletter.  

3.    AMDISA: The Conference was also promoted by Association of Management Development Institutions in South Asia through its website and through email in its members network. AMDISA is a SAARC Recognized body and has network of member institutions in all SAARC Countries.

5.    The conference was promoted by Ms. Mery Beth, an American Journalist and academician through live blogging and twitter.

6. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, Youtube and Live blogging channels were used for the promotion of the conference. Conference highlights, research development of SME sector, collaboration of academia & industry initiatives and video messages of conference patrons, speakers, panelists and academia & industry experts were posted on social media that gained significant prominance. The Conference generated significant activity at twitter and was trending at number 3. https://twitter.com/SME_Conference.

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12.https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMXq-N_M8Cqq4yoFPlyKZ_w

Exclusive discussion on SME Conference was made in live PTV News Show “Economy in Focus” from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on 15^thMarch 2017. Mr. Sher Ayub Khan, Chief Executive Officer SMEDA; Eng. M.A. Jabbar, Member SMEDABoard of Directors; and Mr. Sami Ullah Bajwa, Director Internationalization/Conference Manager participated in the show. The show can be accessed at

http://www.ptv.com.pk/public/userView/ptvNews/urduVideoDetail/3041

Third International SME Conference

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