Strengthening SMEs and Entrepreneurship for Productivity and Inclusive Growth
OECD 2018 Ministerial Conference on SMEs
SMEs that grow have a considerable positive impact on employment creation, innovation, productivity growth and competitiveness. Digital technologies and global value chains offer new opportunities for SMEs to participate in the global economy, innovate and strengthen productivity. Yet SMEs are lagging behind in the digital transition and are disproportionately affected by market failures, trade barriers, policy inefficiencies and the quality of institutions. A cross-cutting approach to SME policy can enhance SME innovation and scale-up, as well as their contributions to inclusive growth. This includes a business environment conducive to risk-taking and experimentation by entrepreneurs, as well as access to entrepreneurship competencies, management and workforce skills, technology, innovation, and networks.
Chair’s Summary
On 22-23 February 2018, the OECD convened a Ministerial Conference on “Strengthening SMEs and Entrepreneurship for Productivity and Inclusive Growth”, hosted by Mexico and under the guidance of the Chair, Minister Ildefonso Guajardo Villarreal (Mexico) and the Vice-Chairs, Minister Stuart Nash (New Zealand), State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch (Switzerland) and Vice-Minister Hasan Ali Çelik (Turkey).