📋 Tender Overview
Project No.
PPSTI_109_2025A
Project Title
Driving Regional Industrial Design Innovation through AI Technology to Enhance MSMEs' Global Market Competitiveness
Project Status
Project in Implementation
Fund Account
APEC Support Fund
Sub-fund
ASF: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Project Year
2025
Project Session
Session 1
APEC Funding
120,000
Co-funding Amount
35,000
Total Project Value
155,000
Sponsoring Forum
APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI)
Topics
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Committee
SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)
Other Fora Involved
Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved
Proposing Economy(ies)
Chinese Taipei
Co-Sponsoring Economies
Chile; Indonesia; Korea; Malaysia; Peru; Philippines; Thailand; Viet Nam
Expected Start Date
01/01/2026
Expected Completion Date
31/12/2026
Project Proponent Name 1
Eason Wang
Job Title 1
Deputy Director
Organization 1
TDRI
Telephone 1
+886227458199
Email 1
eason_wang@tdri.org.tw
Project Proponent Name 2
Jessica Guo
Job Title 2
Researcher
Organization 2
TDRI
Telephone 2
+886(2)27 458199
Email 2
jessica_guo@tdri.org.tw
Declaration
Eason Wang
Project Summary
MSMEs in the Asia-Pacific region comprise over 98% of all enterprises and contribute 40–60% of GDP(1), driving growth through employment and trade. However, despite AI’s critical role in enhancing competitiveness and integrating into global value chains, many MSMEs still face challenges in its adoption.
As industries strive towards sustainable economic growth, numerous enterprises encounter barriers to accessing the necessary technological resources. This project showcases AI-driven and digital solutions to empower MSMEs, freelancers, and product designers in the APEC region. By leveraging AI/smart digital tools, creators can enhance product development efficiency and design processes, reduce costs, and boost market competitiveness.
In 2026, the project will host an APEC seminar on design, creativity, and AI-driven innovation, with APEC representatives, policymakers, and experts from the design/creative industries. The seminar facilitates knowledge exchange, supports MSME digital transformation, and promotes growth and technological advancement across the APEC region.
(1)Embracing 4.0 Industrial Revolution in Boosting Economic Performance of Export- oriented SMEs, APEC Small and Medium enterprises Working Group (July, 2021)
Relevance
Region
The Digital Realty report(2) shows that over 56% of enterprises lack the necessary digital infrastructure, while IDC research(3) reports that only 8% of enterprises can effectively integrate AI technology as a core competence . This uneven regional development, combined with financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure and a lack of technical talent, is impeding the digital transformation of MSMEs
