WHEREAS, the ACTETSME has been established in Los Ba os, Laguna, Philippines, to be the regional center that will disseminate information, facilitate market linkages and promote technology transfer among nationals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of APEC member-economies through networking;

WHEREAS, the designated Project Executing Office will have turn over the operation of ACTETSME to a duly-mandated organization that will manage the ACTETSME in accordance with its objectives, mission and vision on or before 01 March 1997;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Network of Small and Medium Enterprises (PhilSME), a private foundation consisting of a select group of industry associations, business chambers and professional organization with SME orientation, has been organized in January, 1996 to work for a closer and more effective coordination of SME-to-SME contracts and related business development mechanisms;

WHEREAS, PhilSME has the collective experience and expertise of its membership to jumpstart the operation of a new venture, such as the ACTETSME;

WHEREAS, PhilSME has expressed its Willingness to cooperate in and commit its resources to initiatives pertaining to the promotion, development and growth of SMEs in the Philippines and the region as well.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FIDEL V. RAMOS, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby appoint the Philippine Network of Small and Medium Enterprises to manage the APEC Center for Technology Exchange and Training for SMEs (ACTETSME) effective 01 January - 31 December 1997.

To properly carry out its managerial and administrative functions in ACTETSME, PhilSME is hereby authorized to recruit and employ the required management, staff and support personnel and may call upon any government agency or local government for assistance.

PhilSME is also authorized to be given the right to lease the ACTETSME building at the University of the Philippines in Los Ba os and all equipment, furnishings and facilities contained therein at a nominal rate of P1.00 per year until such time that an ACTETSME organization which is international in character has been duly established.

PhilSME shall, in coordination with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council (SMED), study and identify the appropriate distribution of and the expected output or results from a fund allocation of P30 Million for the year 1997 to be provided by the Government through the SMED Council for ACTETSME ™s operations.

PhilSME shall enter into an agreement with the SMED Council specifying their respective duties and responsibilities in the management and operation of ACTETSME and the former will be accountable to the latter as far as outputs and results are concerned.

Done in the City of Manila, this 20th  day of November, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and ninety six.

(SGD.) FIDEL V. RAMOS
President of the Philippines

By the President:

(SGD.) RUBEN D. TORRES
Executive Secretary