03/08/2010
Suggestions for the advancing competitiveness and quality in the kingdom's small enterprises
A special study called for applying series of visions, ideas and projects to support small and medium enterprises in the Kingdom that are expanding rapidly, and at the same time suffering from the problems of management , finance, competition and other.
The study carried the title " Possibilities for strengthening the competitiveness of the SME's industries " emphasizing the need to disseminate the culture of communities and networks, all of which are located in one place, and produce similar products, in order to enable these facilities through various forms of cooperative relationships.
Moreover,the study made a number of proposals to support small enterprises, improving their performance .. stating that "the most prominent features of small and medium enterprises in a continues growth, figuring 90 % of the total industrial installations, and 14 % of industrial output, and 8 % of the total value of industrial exports, also low Saudization standard, and low rates of profits and mainly owned by the family business nature.
Reviewing the "Role of government and private sector in supporting the activity of small and medium industries in the Kingdom" saying that there is a governmental interest to support these industries which can be extrapolated from the second five year plan also there is several institutions aims to support of these industries.
The study also said that there are incentives for granted for the industrial sector, despite being large or small enterprises, yet there is difficulty for the small and medium industries to take advantage of certain stimuli, especially protective tariffs and duty-free.
And on the problems facing small and medium industries in the Kingdom the study had made highlighted the challenges related to the developing the competitiveness and developments in global markets and speed up the transfer and settlement of technology and dealing with legislation and developments in the WTO, there are also specific problems facing this industry on the procedures , funding , lack of human resources and technological capacity along with marketing.
