Sharakah outlines future vision for Oman SMEs at 18th annual meeting of INSME at Baku

Sharakah outlines future vision for Oman SMEs at 18th annual meeting of INSME at Baku

Muscat: Sharakah, Fund for Development of Youth Projects, made by Royal Decree for supporting the SME sector in Oman, recently attended the 18th annual meeting of the International Network for Small and Medium Enterprises (INSME), held in Baku, Azerbaijan. The International Network for SMEs, based in Rome, Italy, holds an annual general meeting to address diverse subjects and significant challenges that concern the SME industry besides discussing the achievements and goals of the Association.

This year's INSME conference, with the theme "Empowering SMEs - Economic Diversification & Green Growth," was held at the JW Marriott Hotel, Baku under the patronage of His Excellency Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Other prominent international figures in attendance included H.E Yves Leterme, former PM of Belgium, Mr. Sergio Arzeni, President of INSME, Mr. Orkhan Mammadov, Chairman, KOBIA and Ali Ahmed Muqaibal, CEO of Sharakah. Hosted in association with the Small and Medium Business (SMB) Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBIA), the 18th INSME meeting took into account the current and existing international context for the SME sector; addressing high-interest rates, a possible recession, damages caused by natural disasters and climate change and global conflict amongst others.

Recognising that SMEs