Expert Group Meeting on Outline of Asia-Pacific MSME Policy Guidebook, second edition

An EGM on the Outline of the Asia-Pacific MSME Policy Guidebook, second edition will be held virtually on Thursday, 3 September 2020. The EGM will bring together experts on MSME development to review the outline and provide guidance on the preparation of the second edition. This second edition Guidebook will take further account of the challenges countries in the Asia-Pacific face and is intended as a guide and reference point for governments and regulators, providing a roadmap for planning, assessing, and implementing policy and legal measures to support more resilient and robust MSME development.

MSMEs are instruments of inclusive growth which touch upon the lives of the most vulnerable and marginalized. The critical contribution of MSMEs to broader social economic objectives, including job creation makes them a key priority area for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Job creation through MSMEs will often directly benefit the poor and vulnerable, particularly women and youth, thereby directly reducing poverty, increasing income and positively impacting on household investments in education and health over time. MSME development has the potential for wide-reaching impacts on the SDGs globally, including SDG 1 (end poverty), SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work), and SDG 9 (improve sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation).