Google China targets SMEs

Google will focus on small businesses and mobile as it seeks to gain share in greater China, according to John Liu, vice-president of sales of Google Greater China, reports Media Asia.

Liu, who oversees sales and business development in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, visited the SAR to introduce a new programme that will invest $13 million to develop search engine marketing solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses in Hong Kong.

The initiative is part of a Greater China stimulus programme aiming to encourage Chinese businesses to use the Internet to drive growth, with $7.3 million invested in the SME sector in China.

IBM is working with Tally Solutions in the UAE to target the SME segment through its server product line, says Emirates Business 24/7.

"IBM wanted a one-stop solution for the SME sector and due to our strong presence in this segment, it was right to work with Tally," says Vinash Gupta, president of Tally Solutions.

Tally Solutions says that while the partnership is restricted to India, they are looking at extending it by March 2010.

Businesses will have to be more efficient and react faster to changing conditions as the economy emerges from the recession, states AsiaOne Business.

At the Apec SME summit, Teng Theng Dar said being more efficient will help SMEs plug into supply chains serving new markets, particularly important as companies seek new demand beyond traditional markets.

'In particular, SMEs have to be more aggressive in using ICT connectivity to make sure they are able to engage new market communities faster, more accurately and more efficiently,' said Teng.