Baku, 20 May – The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (KOBİA), in close cooperation with the Secretariat of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), is set to host the Eighth Plenary Session of the CICA Business Council and the milestone Tenth CICA Business Forum. These prominent gatherings are expected to bring together more than 200 representatives from CICA Member States, further reinforcing CICA’s role as a unique platform for fostering economic cooperation and connectivity across Asia.
The two high-level events aim to enhance entrepreneurship collaboration among the Member States of CICA, with a particular emphasis on supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), facilitating cross-border partnerships, and promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusive economic growth throughout the region.
The Business Council Plenary is scheduled to convene national representatives and leading business figures for substantive dialogue on key issues driving SME development, including SME digitalization, industrial cooperation, women’s entrepreneurship, smart city initiatives and the green transformation. These themes reflect CICA’s comprehensive approach to addressing current challenges and harnessing emerging opportunities within dynamic landscape of regional commerce.
The Plenary Session is expected to open with keynote statements by the Secretary General of CICA, H.E. Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, and the Chair of the CICA Business Council, Chairman of the Board KOBIA, Mr. Orkhan Mammadov (Azerbaijan).
Throughout a series of panel discussions, participants are set to address strategic topics including the digital transformation of SMEs, the advancement of women’s entrepreneurship, facilitating the green transition of SMEs, promoting SME engagement in smart city ecosystems, expanding cross-border trade and e-commerce, enhancing industrial cooperation, and integrating SMEs into global value chains (GVCs).
The session also foresees a forward-looking review of the initiatives under Azerbaijan’s Chairmanship of CICA, demonstrating the Chairmanship’s continued commitment to practical, results-oriented cooperation. A key highlight will be the official presentation of the draft on SME Landscape in Asia: Interactive Guidebook, a signature project prepared under the coordination of the CICA Secretariat to promote knowledge-sharing and best practices among Member States.
To highlight practical engagement, Azerbaijan will host an exhibition of products created by SMEs.
The event is set to demonstrate CICA’s strong commitment and the efforts of its Business Council to foster the exchange of best practices and promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economic development across Asia.
