ICSB to Focus on Role of MSME's in Building Sustainable Business Worldwide at Knowledge Summit

Multi-sector Collaboration by Country Representatives and Entrepreneurial Experts at United Nations Forum Aims to Grow Small Businesses and Job Creation

Washington, DC (PRWEB) April 26, 2017

The International Council of Small Businesses (ICSB), a nonprofit devoted to the advancement of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME's) and entrepreneurs, will hold the first-ever MSME Knowledge Summit on May 11 at United Nations Headquarters. It will focus on the important role MSME's play as catalysts, creators and supporters in achieving the growth of sustainable business worldwide, and in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals aimed at ending poverty and promoting prosperity.

The World Bank estimates 600 million jobs will be needed in the next 15 years to fulfill the growing workforce, and the international community recognizes that it is small businesses and entrepreneurs that will be the employers of the future. Dr. Ayman El Tarabishy, ICSB Executive Director noted that, "ICSB is taking many steps to address the challenges of global job creation and capacity building for small businesses, including organizing high-level forums. We invite all partners and interested stakeholders to join us at the UN on May 11 to help tackle these crucial issues at the MSME Summit."

Government ministers and agency representatives, academic leaders, and private sector organizations that endorsed the formation of MSME Day will participate at the Summit, which follows the adoption of the United Nations General Assembly resolution (A/71/L.60) on April 6 designating June 27 as, "Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day." The resolution recognizes the role of MSME's in promoting innovation and decent work for all and promotes action to evolve the MSME sector worldwide.

ICSB is very excited to announce the lineup of speakers who will bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the program. Delivering the keynote will be The Honorable Linda McMahon, U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator. Attendees will also hear from country ministers and dignitaries from Argentina, Arab Republic of Egypt, and Kuwait. Private Sector representatives include the American Medical Association, Dr. Patrice Harris, Chairman of the Board and Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Mr. Michael Falk, General Counsel. Presidents from various universities committed to fostering the development and success of MSMEs will also speak. They include George Washington University, Babson College, and Wilkes University.

ICSB is committed to concrete action with a program that will feature some major global initiatives by partners that offer new ideas and approaches to supporting the MSME sector. Among the presenters will be Michele Bongiovanni, CEO, HealRWorld (HRW). Her company leverages its big data platform to equip MSME's with cutting edge solutions that tell consumers and businesses their stories, promote their commitments to social and environmental sustainability and drive sales worldwide, while leveraging existing e-commerce networks like Alibaba, Amazon, eBay and others.

The MSME Summit will additionally lay the foundation for further discussions at the 62nd ICSB World Conference in Buenos Aires starting June 27, the First Annual UN MSME Day. The theme is, "Towards a New World Mobilized by Entrepreneurship & Innovative SMEs." The world's foremost experts and thought leaders in entrepreneurial research will come together to share their knowledge and expertise and discuss the latest trends.

For the latest updates on the ICSB MSME Summit and to register for the event, please visit http://www.icsb.org/event/msmesdayun/.

Founded in 1955, the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) was the first international membership organization to promote the growth and development of small businesses worldwide. The organization brings together educators, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners from around the world to share knowledge and expertise in their respective fields. The ICSB is a non-profit organization.

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