Strategies of the Development of Entrepreneurship and SME

TURKEYSTRENGHT• They have a vital role in reducingunemployment.• ˆIncreasing awareness for the adoption ofmodern production techniques.• Developing political commitment for thedesign and implementation of SMEspolicies• Increasing motivation for innovation andentrepreneurship.• Working with a high proprietary interestrate, which makes enterprises lessvulnerable to financial crises.• Existence of pro-active, bottom-upinitiatives in favour of innovationOPPORTUNITY• Discussion of SMEs and related policiesat a number of platforms.• EU membership process offers newopportunities for SMEs.• Strategy and action approach towardsSMEs is accepted by government.• Further opening of the economies in theBalkan, Black Sea, Mediterranean, andMiddle East countries.• New structural funds.• Increasing education and trainingactivities.• Technical infrastructure for IPRRegulations.• Increasing education and trainingactivities.WEAKNESS• Inadequate supply in VC, PE, etc. forstart-ups.• Inadequate use of modern marketing andbusiness techniques.• Deficiency in quality and branding, aswell as qualified labor force.• Insufficient level of institutionalizationand specialization.• Inadequate continuous monitoring andevaluation system for SMEs policymeasures.• Low private and public expenditures onR&DTHREATS• High tax and social insurance payments.• Issues regarding communications,information and trust could not yet beovercome in some areas.• International political and economicuncertainty and instabilities in Turkey’sneighborhood.• Insufficient education level of SMEowners and employees as well asinadequate skilled labor.• Low participation in lifelong learningprograms.Source: Dr. Dilek Centindamar, Sabancini University, and Umut Yilmaz Cetinkaya, 2007151