WASHINGTON, USA – The economic impact generated by the COVID-19 pandemic in Micro Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) and the support they have received through different public policies in the region were at the center of the agenda of the VII Inter-American Dialogue of the high-level authorities of MSMEs, that took place in virtual format on September 9 – 10 and was organized by the Organization of American States (OAS) and SERCOTEC, Chile’s agency supporting micro-enterprises and entrepreneurs.
Among the main topics discussed by the authorities of the 30 participating countries were the role of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in strengthening economies; strategies and solutions for the recovery of the sector; the importance of MSMEs for the economic empowerment of women; logistics solutions for domestic and foreign trade; electronic commerce and other technological solutions; strengthening of support institutions for MSMEs and Business Development Centers.
For over ten years, the OAS Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) has been convening vice ministers and high-level authorities of MSMEs from member states along with other multisectoral actors to share solutions that address the challenges faced by the sector in the region. This dialogue has resulted in key efforts aimed at improving the ecosystem of MSMEs in the member states.