Upgrading Small and Medium Enterprises: The Case of Egypt

24-04-2012

Speakers

This roundtable discussion presented the findings of the research team. The results indicated that many small enterprises find it very difficult to innovate towards growing into the segment of medium size enterprises. Nevertheless, a considerable number of companies was able to go through a process of upgrading even at times of difficulty such as the present environment. Some have even more than doubled in size (by employment criteria) within the last five years. The main factors explaining differences in growth and upgrading are: (i) education, work experience and international experience of the company owner, (ii) access to finance, (iii) investment into human resource development and market research and (iv) efficiency in the application of existing laws such as taxation and licensing.