by Irene Wijaya | Jul 27, 2022 | MSME & private sector engagement, Technical Reports, Uncategorized
Micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of ASEAN economies and thus critical for post-COVID-19 recovery and future socio economic resilience. MSMEs account for over 97% of all firms, 85% of the labour force, about 45% of the gross domestic product (GDP) and between 10% and 30% of the total exports of ASEAN economies. However, MSMEs face significant challenges that hinder their development and, in some cases, their survival. They face barriers accessing finance, attracting talent, reaching markets and innovating, among other areas. Because of these constraints on resources and capacity, they tend to be more vulnerable to crises and disasters. The regional guidelines “enhancing the resilience of MSMEs to crises and disasters” provide a foundational framework for ASEAN policy-makers to build the resilience of MSMEs. The guidelines provide information on how the relevant agencies in ASEAN Member States can identify resources, determine roles and responsibilities, establish coordination mechanisms and include disaster risk management in existing or new policies and regulations. Click image or link to download: Enhancing the Resilience of MSMEs to Crises and Disasters: Regional Guidelines for ASEAN Governments [PDF, 4,000 kb] Related project: Development of Regional Guidelines on MSMEs Crisis and Disaster...
by Irene Wijaya | Mar 15, 2022 | MSME & private sector engagement, Technical Reports
The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 has opened up numerous business opportunities for the regional community with its vision of ASEAN as a single market and production hub characterised by the free flow of goods, services, and investments, as well as a more liberal movement of capital and skills. The AEC Blueprint 2025 characterised by its objectives to create a highly integrated and cohesive economy and nurture a dynamic ASEAN through enhanced connectivity and sectoral cooperation. The blueprint envisaged greater participation of the business community especially the private sector and the community at large that will lead to a resilient and people-oriented ASEAN. ASEAN has been successful in broadening coverage and reducing limitations on market access through AEC. It is working towards establishment of ASEAN wide attractive investment regime and has been successful in paving the way through various agreements such as CEPT, ATIGA, AFAS and ATISA. Regular pulse checks on the integration efforts are crucial to ensure that the targeted objectives are met on timely fashion as well as identifying challenges that may be a hindrance to achieving the objectives. It is imperative to regularly solicit feedback from all the stakeholders especially the business communities which is the key beneficiary of the AEC efforts. The ASEAN Secretariat commissioned a survey to gather insights on the AEC implementation from the viewpoints of the ASEAN indigenous enterprises, which forms the backbone of the business ASEAN community. The survey focuses on the services sector, particularly financial, distribution, and tourism sector. The survey indicates that: Indigenous enterprises in general have a positive outlook on AEC. They acknowledged the...
by Irene Wijaya | Nov 15, 2021 | MSME & private sector engagement, Technical Reports
The ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025 (SAP SMED 2025) was launched at the sidelines of the 27th ASEAN Summit in November 2015. This report evaluates progress of the implementation of the first phase of SAP SMED 2025. It highlights some key initiatives of the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME) and the impact of these initiatives towards the advancement of MSME development noth regionally and nationally. The report also looks at changes in contexts and landscape, and propose steps to promote effective implementation in the second phase, highlighting the the importance to respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Download the Evaluation Report (2774...
