Sixteen years has gone by since INSME was established and while many things evolved, “Local strength, global reach” is still the North Star that guides the Network. Under this motto, the Association welcomed new members, strengthened the collaboration with the existing ones, reinforced its services and implemented new activities to spur innovation as a key for competitiveness and SMEs growth worldwide.
On the 17th of February INSME celebrated its 16th anniversary, but its history began four years before, in June 2000, on the occasion of the first OECD SME ministerial conference, whose delegates approved the “Bologna Charter on SME policies” by welcoming the proposal of the Italian Government to establish the International Network for Small and Medium Enterprises.
This circumstance was expected to be celebrated in Paris on the 31st of March and 1st April: two days dedicated to the General Assembly and to a joint OECD-INSME conference to discuss and exchange perspectives, opportunities and challenges on “High-Growth SMEs and Sustainability”. Given the current global concerns related to the Covid-19 diffusion, numerous international institutions – including the OECD – are adopting precautionary measures which are affecting many activities including our event which has been postponed.
Despite this unexpected news, we are working to reschedule the event which will be probably held back to back with the next OECD Working Party on SMEs and Entrepreneurship which should take place in late October.
Stay tuned for more updates!
Source: The International Network for SMEs - INSME
