Conference: Building a Modern and Effective BDS Industry in LAC

By SDS/MSM (05/99, SDS/MIC, En, Es)

For papers related to the International event: "Building Modern and Efective Business Development Services Industry for Small Enterprises", March 2-5, 1999, see International Labour Organization

Objectives and Content of the Conference

The objective of the conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in March 3-5, 1999,was to promote best practices in the design and delivery of Business Development Services (BDS) to micro, small, and medium scale enterprises. Durng the conference participants discussed how to create a modern, financially sustainable industry that provides needed services, reaching from medium size all the way down to very small scale producers with needed services, as well as special service segments for which full cost recovery may not be possible or desirable.

The conference began by exploring principles of good practice in BDS and what the role of government should be in business services provision. This was followed by a discussion of a number of general approaches to help create a sustainable, market-based delivery of business development services.

During the remainder of the conference, separate panels addressed the major substantive areas of BDS: Training and Counselling, Technical Assistance, Information, Technology, Networks and Clusters, and Marketing. Leading experts and practitioners expanded on the conceptual foundations and gave examples of best practice and innovations in each of these areas.

These services are also all brought together and discussed in the context of the Local Development Model. Finally, the organizers of two very recent, major conferences on business development services - the Africa Regional Conference in Harare and the International Conference in Rio de Janeiro - presented the main lessons learned from those events that are of particular relevance to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Principles of Good Practice in BDS

Role of Government in BDS Provision

Market-Based Approaches

Training and Counseling

Coordinated BDS in the Local Development Model

Information

Special Session

Technology

Training for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises

Networks and Clusters

TA Market Development for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises

Marketing

The findings, interpretations and conclusions are the responsibility of the author(s) and should not be attributed to the Inter-American Development Bank.

Last updated: 06/13/07