KUALA LUMPUR: The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Young Entrepreneurs' Summit 2011 (Apec Yes), which will start tomorrow, promises a good avenue for local small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) to integrate into the Apec economies.

International Malaysian Chamber of Commerce Ltd (IMCC) president Agil Faisal Ahmad Fadzil said the event enables young entrepreneurs to embark on a once in a lifetime experience, meeting their international counterparts and leveraging on skills, expertise and experience of the more established entrepreneurs.

This, he said would facilitate job creation, generate business potentials and ultimately, create a conducive business environment.

"Apec Yes will be a platform for us to learn and listen to all concerns of SMEs and young entrepreneurs, such as market access, capacity building and financing, and financial opportunities," Agil said.

Speaking to Business Times in an interview, Agil said the conference will generate business-to-business (B2B) opportunities in three sectors, namely green technology, creative arts, wholesale and retail.

"It will be a very structured B2B ... where the businesses will be matched with the available companies," he said, noting that many trade and market opportunities are available for the SMEs during the event.

The companies include Malaysia Green Technology Corp, Post Malaysia Bhd (PostMe), Multimedia Prospect Sdn Bhd (MPSB)-Malaysian Digital Enterprise Exchange, Cyberview Sdn Bhd, GCH Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Giant) and Tesco Store (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.

The conference will also focus on policy discussions related to human capital development in entrepreneurship and finance.

Agil said Malaysia has proposed that Apec, in collaboration with Apec Business Advisory Council, implements initiatives to develop young entrepreneurs to network, share ideas and best practices as well as address common challenges and identify potential business opportunities.

"This is to ensure that the programmes and activities initiated by Apec is relevant and useful for the business community," he said.

SME Corp Malaysia deputy chief executive officer for coordination and development Mahdi Mohd Arifin said the main goal of the conference is to promote the development and establishment of new businesses among Apec countries. 

This, will in turn helps build and enhance entrepreneurship spirit and culture among the young entrepreneurs.

"This conference can assist and bring new entrepreneurs into the business mainstream and address the needs for further capacity building in developing potential entrepreneurs and SMEs in Apec economies," he said.

Business matching sessions and visits have been arranged to provide opportunity for the SMEs to become suppliers of intermediate goods, components, finished goods and services, Mahdi added.