Improving regional structures to promote small and medium-sized enterprises in ASEAN

Projekt description

Title: Strengthening Regional Structures for Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion in ASEAN (ASEAN SMEs)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)​​​​​​​
Country: ASEAN with focus in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar,  Thailand and Viet Nam
Lead executing agency: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Overall term: 2018 to 2022

Context

The global move towards digitalisation as well as growing cross-border services allow small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in ASEAN to expand their market. Providing SMEs with practical information, support and opportunities to expand their business beyond domestic to regional and even global levels is therefore crucial. 
 

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025 and the corresponding Strategic Action Plan for SME Development (SAPSMED) 2025 emphasises promoting SMEs in the region. In close cooperation with the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME), the project supports the implementation of the SAPSMED 2025 with a dual focus on improving market access for and internationalisation of SMEs (strategic goal C), as well as enhancing the policy and regulatory environment (strategic goal D).

The ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) acknowledges digital connectivity to promote regional connectivity and economic recovery and to consolidate SME participation and integration in the AEC.

Objective

The project is improving the development of cross-border business for SMEs in ASEAN within the framework of the ASEAN SAPSMED 2025.

Approach

ASEAN Access is owned by the 10 Member States and overseen by ACCMSME. Its strength lies in enabling coordination between implementing agencies (National Focal Points) and Network Partners in ASEAN and beyond.

ASEAN Access MATCH was launched in January 2022 to support regional and supraregional SME trading. It is an official business matchmaking and market access event platform in ASEAN and beyond. It offers companies opportunities to participate in the virtual cross-border business matchmaking, knowledge and skills-building workshops, and market and sector information events. Features and digital solutions integrated in the portal will continue to evolve. The ASEAN Access Learn, Policy and Beyond will provide a digital solutions tool and features in future.

Last update: March 2022