While there has been some progress on other aspects of SME policy (especially credit provision), it is generally recognized that "linkage-inducing" policy, is for the most part and in most places, a new and experimental area, with considerable potential. The purpose of this document is to...

This presentation discusses supply chain issues in Asia, including security and competitiveness, as well as the role of LSPs in handling supply chain dynamics. Included are case studies of Asian SMEs and their involvement at the global and regional level. This presentation was presented at the...

This paper discusses the impact of electronic commerce on the private sector of developing countries and outlines the potential role of the Inter American Development Bank in promoting the use of ICT by small and medium businesses. Information Technology is also reshaping other sectors that are...

This presentation explores several mechanisms by which the barriers imposed by rules of origin may be reduced through effective trade facilitation efforts. Also discussed are the functional similarities of a variety of other requirements on international trade with rules of origin, including...

This study analyzes the impact of judicial inefficiency on small businesses in Peru. It is based on the hypothesis that chronic problems in the region's judicial systems have negative consequences on the development of micro, small and medium-sized businesses. The analysis focuses, first, on the...

This paper presents a synopsis of the current state of the microfinance industry in Latin America. It provides a rough assessment of the achievement and outreach of the industry; it offers revealing information on the financial performance of 20 microfinance institutions; and it outlines some of...

This presentation discusses the promotion of SMEs through enterprise networks. Some of the benefits of clustering can be obtained through the promotion of networks of enterprises, often numbering between 10 and 20 firms. The role of the network broker is critical in establishing networks, but so...

This paper studies the degree to which innovation by Costa Rican manufacturing firms creates or displaces employment, how different innovation strategies affect employment, and how these effects vary by firm size and type of employment demand characteristics (skills and gender). In particular...

This paper outlines some of the issues that affect small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in three areas: regulation, procurement, and dispute resolution. The work presented herein is part of the Bank's most recent efforts to develop new approaches and instruments to strengthen its role as a...

This paper proposes a conceptual framework for understanding and analyzing how business regulations affect small and microenterprises. In doing so, it also makes a case for why particular attention should be paid to the process of initial registration of businesses and why this is a promising...