Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day
The United Nations General Assembly declared by the resolution A/RES/71/279 , 27 june to be the observance of the Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, to raise public awareness of their contribution to sustainable development and the global economy.
Forum: Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day 2020 - ''COVID-19: The Great Lockdown and its impact on Small Business.''
These types of enterprises are responsible for significant employment and income generation opportunities across the world and have been identified as a major driver of poverty alleviation and development. MSMEs tend to employ a larger share of the vulnerable sectors of the workforce, such as women, youth, and people from poorer households - populations with high vulnerability in times of COVID-19. MSMEs can sometimes be the only source of employment in rural areas. As such, MSMEs as a group are the main income provider for income distribution at the “base of the pyramid”.
What do SMEs need to help them survive?
Events: In order to find inspiration in these difficult times, the United Nations will host three special events;
Smaller businesses can be agile in response to a changing world. We have seen multiple examples during the pandemic, but their size also makes them vulnerable. Access to finance is a primary obstacle. Identifying international market opportunities and navigating trade-related procedures can be harder for small businesses than for their larger competitors.
SME Competitiveness Report COVID-19: The Great Lockdown and its Impact on Small Business , 24 June, 2020 from 14:00 to 15:30 CET
The International Trade Center held a special WebTV programme on, to hear from entrepreneurs from across the world, as well as from those who support small-business responses to COVID-19. The event launched the flagship "SME Competitiveness Report COVID-19: The Great Lockdown and its Impact on Small Business," a new report packed with brand-new business impact data and unique cutting-edge analysis.
"First Responders to Societal Needs", 25 June, 2020; from 09:00 EDT-15:00 CET
organized by UNCTAD, DESA, UNIDO, the Permanent Mission of Argentina, and ICSB will give the chance to meet real MSMEs. We must not only recognize the necessity and power of MSMEs worldwide, but we should also take this opportunity to really listen to them. This \includes sitting with their struggles, successes, stories, experiences, and opportunities.
Africa’s post COVID-19 economic and social recovery. 25 June, 2020 from 12:00pm – 14:00pm EAT
MSMEs have the potential to play an integral part in Africa’s post COVID-19 economic and social recovery. This session brings together forward-looking entrepreneurs and business people to explore how we can build back better with MSMEs at the forefront and create a resilient, prosperous future for all.
PARTICIPANTS:
ILO's COVID-19 response: Small and Medium Enterprises and SME resilience
The World Bank Small and Medium enterprises finance – and COVID-19 response