International Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet) in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations organized an “Agribusiness Roundtable on Small and Medium Agro-Processing Enterprise (SMAE) Development” from 8-10 December 2010 at Hotel Seri Pacific, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 30 SMAE business managers/entrepreneurs from 11 Asian countries participated in the roundtable discussion, namely; Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
FAO has in recent years assessed several specific issues impacting on SMAE competitiveness both in Africa and Central America and has facilitated dialogue and debate among FAO member countries. The appraisal of FAO thus far, however, has been developed absence of systematic consultation with SMAE managers, and without opportunity to consider regional specificity. So, FAO took the timely approach by organizing this roundtable discussion in Malaysia to validate and refine its understanding of SMAE competitiveness as well as strategies and actions to address the constraints in this Asian region.
The three day roundtable discussion focused on the challenges that are impacting on the development of SMAEs in Asian countries. The main subjects discussed were: competitiveness and challenges; procurement from small farmers; product development, differentiation, branding and labeling; quality management and compliance with standards; materials and technology acquisition; supply chain management and logistics and financing operations and investments alliances and private sector associations.
The roundtable discussion was facilitated by FAO experts and TFNet officers. The roundtable nature of the discussion had triggered the participants to actively indulge and contribute positively to achieve the roundtable objectives. All the business managers and entrepreneurs were able to identify their constraints and the possible ways to find solutions by discussing with fellow entrepreneurs and sharing their knowledge from other countries. The participants were hoping to meet again in another FAO/TFNet forum to share their experiences in overcoming their constraints for the benefit other aspiring SMAE entrepreneurs facing such challenges.
Participants during the business presentation session
Working group on food processing in discussion
Group on diversified enterprises discussion a point
Participants and Facilitators of the “Agribusiness Roundtable on Small and Medium Agro-Processing Enterprise (SMAE) Development”