In other words, the relationship between internationalization and firm competitiveness is two way in the sense that the former increases the latter and the latter leads to the former.

Enterprise, investment and competition policy

OFDI and enterprise competitiveness

In the enterprise sector, the focus will need to be on increasing competition in all sectors, reducing barriers to entry and exit for private companies, and strengthening state owned enterprises competitiveness.

OFDI and enterprise competitiveness 11

Case study on outward foreign direct investment by Singaporean firms

Enterprise competitiveness and development

Data related to the impact of OFDI on firms' competitiveness are particularly lacking, especially for the SME sector.

The meeting was held on 8 10 December 2004 and addressed the work of the Commission in the field of enterprise competitiveness, focusing on enhancing the export competitiveness of SMEs.

IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF SMEs THROUGH ENHANCING PRODUCTIVE CAPACITY

Improving the competitiveness of SMEs through enhancing productive capacity

Enhancing the competitiveness of developing countries' firms through internationalization

Singapore enterprises, particularly SMEs, are able to sustain their cost competitiveness through their manufacturing presence in nearby countries within the region.

Impact of OFDI on competitiveness of Singapore enterprises

Improving the competitiveness of SMEs through enhancing productive capacity

Trade and Development Board

Enhancing enterprise productivity and competitiveness (e.g. supply chain management) and Creating new enterprises (e.g. a start up company in software).

Does OFDI increase competitiveness of firms and how could competitiveness from OFDI be measured?

Impact of OFDI on competitiveness of Singaporean enterprises 14

Improving the competitiveness of SMEs through enhancing

Theme Improving the competitiveness of SMEs through enhancing productive capacity

Impact of investing abroad on enterprise competitiveness Selected cases an indicators

MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES through enhancing

The session on this topic focused on different methods of enterprise internationalization and their impact on enterprise competitiveness.

The role of competition law and policy in facilitating market entry by small and medium sized firms and in promoting economic development, and the relationship between competition policy and the informal sector

The discussions had focused on three issues the concept of export competitiveness (at country level, firm level and cluster level) the importance of production networks and of linkages with TNCs in raising the competitive potential of SMEs and the policy space left to and needed by Governments to support the export competitiveness of SMEs.

Item 3 Promoting the competitiveness and internationalization of developing countries' firms

through enhancing productive capacity 3

The purpose of Empretec is to help foster entrepreneurial capabilities and the growth of internationally competitive SMEs in developing countries.

At first sight, it seems counterintuitive that companies would want to share data and potentially give away competitive advantages. But this presupposes that the possession of such data does indeed imply a competitive advantage, and that a closed operating model is financially sustainable.

One delegate shared the experiences of his country as it related to enhancement of SME competitiveness.

f) Assist women entrepreneurs to increase their competitiveness through the use of ICT

Furthermore, the secretariat highlighted its joint work with OECD on the subject, the organization of five training courses for diplomats and government officials on SME competitiveness, and the creation of a website displaying the SME related activities of the Branch on Investment and Enterprise Competitiveness.

Increased competitiveness can result from the growing reputation of a Singaporean firm in both domestic and foreign markets.

How does OFDI affect enterprise competitiveness, and how can it be measured?

Further cooperation with UNCTAD in the area of policy advice on SME competitiveness was planned.

A cluster development strategy can help SMEs to overcome those obstacles and provide them with competitive advantages unattainable by individual enterprises.

The process of globalization had largely affected the business environment for SMEs, and it was becoming increasingly important for firms to become internationally competitive, if they were to survive.

Report of the Expert Meeting on Promoting the Export Competitiveness of SMEs (TD B COM.3 EM.23 3).

Through OFDI, Singapore companies gain better access to competitive markets but equally important is the ability to access sophisticated technological knowledge and managerial skills which are needed in order to be competitive.

The programme is promoting the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to make enterprises, in particular SMEs, better fit for the e economy and increase their competitiveness.

It is argued that OFDI from SMEs has the potential to increase the international competitiveness of the SME sector of both home and host countries.

However, analytical and empirical evidence regarding the correlation between OFDI and enterprise competitiveness, especially SMEs, remains limited.

The tsunami had crippled SMEs in those countries, and there was an urgent need for UNCTAD to rebuild and improve the competitiveness of SMEs in affected countries.

A final issue concerns the role of Governments in improving competitiveness at the enterprise and national levels.