Proving once again that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) now mean big business in Singapore, a host of banks and financial institutions flocked to the 6th Annual SMEs Conference 2004 yesterday, where about 800 SMEs attended the Realising the SME Vision: What Matters Most?, which focused on how SMEs could grow globally.
SCCCI president, Mr Kwek Leng Joo said: "It's a very good sign that there is so much interest (from the banks). But, of course, actual funding will still depend on the applicant's strength."
Mr Kwek, also the managing director of City Developments, agreed that business plans should be scalable to regional levels in the long term.
One way for SMEs to grow would be to form partnerships within their industries.
"When you are part of a larger chain, it is easier to collaborate and grow your business strengths together," he said.
