SMEs want G20 to focus on trade, investment and infrastructure: survey

SMEs across the globe want improved multilateral trade, investment and infrastructure according to a survey by the International Chamber of Commerce.

The study, which investigated the concerns of businesses in more than 130 countries, looked at what small and medium-sized business owners want the upcoming G20 summit to focus on. Global trade, investment agreements and better infrastructure were the top priorities for more than 2000 respondents.

This year’s G20 will be held in Brisbane on 15 and 16 November. Long considered a summit for governments and large multinational corporations, the ICC set out to engage a wide range of businesses in order to help inform the upcoming talks.

At a local level, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been highlighting the importance of the SME sector in the lead-up to the G20 talks.

Speaking to The Australian, ACCI chief executive Kate Carnell said small businesses may be small voices on their own, but together make up the majority of the employers, and their issues deserve to be heard.

“SMEs in Australia make up more than half of GDP, 70% of employment and 95% of business,” she said.

ICC secretary general John Danilovich said in a statement businesses have shown they want to be more involved in the G20 process.

“The G20’s decisions and agenda impact core business goals for trade, investment, economic growth and job creation and are increasingly shaping intergovernmental policies that affect business internationally,” he said.

“Findings from our survey clearly demonstrate that businesses the world over, of every size and sector, overwhelmingly recognise the important of active business engagement in the G20 process.”

The majority of respondents were from SMEs, with almost half of those surveyed being business owners or chief executives. Danilovich said the survey shows the importance of businesses of all sizes working together to promote the reduction of red tape.

“The inclusive nature of the survey ensures that businesses – regardless of size, geographical region or sector – are given an opportunity to convey views on the policy issues of key importance to them,” he said.