Drawing on the insights gained from United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) COVID-19 impact assessments, this virtual consultative workshop focused on leveraging standards and trade facilitation for stronger and more resilient micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The discussions focused on:
- How standards implementation and trade facilitation played a decisive role in enabling MSMEs to cope with the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 induced supply chain disruptions
- UNECE-United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) trade facilitation tools
- UNECE online self-paced programme of study: “Building Stronger Economies after COVID-19: Standards Implementation for Boosting MSMEs’ Resilience”, which will be available in Serbian
- Avenues for accessing the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards
- Successful experiences in helping MSMEs implement international standards and reap benefits from trade facilitation measures
Presentations
Making trade facilitation and standards implementation work for MSMEs: What lessons to draw from the COVID-19 crisis?
• Ms. Hana Daoudi, Economic Affairs Officer, MAS, UNECE PPT
UNECE-UN/CEFACT trade facilitation tools for MSMEs
• Ms. Sue Probert, Chair, UN/CEFACT PPT
Bringing trade facilitation closer to MSMEs
• Ms. Irina Sigua, Advisor, Revenue Service, Georgia
• Mr. Samson Uridia, Head of International Relations Department LEPL Revenue Service, Ministry of Finance of Georgia PPT
UNECE self-paced online programme of study: “Building Stronger Economies after COVID-19: Standards Implementation for Boosting MSMEs’ Resilience”
• Ms. Sandra Feliciano, Lecturer – Porto Polytechnic| Research and Innovation AssociateKnowledge Innovation Centre PPT
Avenues for promoting standards implementation among MSMEs
• Mr. Dušan Stokić, Head, of Center for Environment, Technical Regulations, Quality and Social Responsibility, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia – Member of Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6 CIF); Member of National Technical Committees, Institute for Standardization of Serbia PPT
Most widely implemented ISO standards by SMEs
• Ms. Noelia Garcia Nebra, Programme Manager, Capacity Building, ISO PPT
Engaging SMEs in standard-setting processes
• Ms. Joanna Gajdek, Head of Consulting, Austrian Standards Institute PPT
Views from enterprise support organizations
• Ms. Maitane Olabarria, Director, Small Business Standards (SBS) – The European association representing SMEs in standardisation PPT
• Ms. Natalia Otel Belan, Regional Director for Europe and Eurasia, Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) PPT
• Ms. Aline Masrelian, Director-General, buyarmenian.com PPT