Phase 2 APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership

This project aims to strengthen capacities and improve business management practices of micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) owned and managed by women youth and other aspiring entrepreneurs in Indonesia Malaysia Papua New Guinea the Philippines Vietnam and Thailand to expand into global and regional markets and foster sustainable economic growth. The project consists of two main components: Policy Advocacy and Research and Training and Mentoring. The project replicates the Research Training and Mentoring component of the first phase in Malaysia and Thailand and Research and Training in Papua New Guinea. The project establishes new local partnerships in these three developing economies through their Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) network ensuring buy-in and collaboration. Under the Research Training and Mentoring components project activities include: (1) scaling up the capacity for digital entrepreneurship due to the global pandemic; (2) assuring inclusive MSME growth focused on equal access to technology and infrastructure; (3) increasing support for MSME competitiveness and ability to access international markets; (4) promoting innovation and support for micro-enterprises and start-ups; and (5) promoting capacity building for MSMEs in informal sectors. These research themes align with important regional MSME policy visions and frameworks particularly the APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG) Strategic Plan for 2021-2024 and the Putrajaya Vision 2040. For the Policy Advocacy component project activities include: (1) encouraging the use of technology and innovation; (2) reducing barriers to market access; (3) strengthening human capital; (4) building gender-inclusive businesses; and (5) investing in social entrepreneurship. The project continues to work and strengthen partnerships established in phase 1 with policy actors such as national legislators local legislators business support organizations and MSMEs in Indon

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved policy and regulatory environment in support of MSMEs owned and managed by women and youth; and other aspiring entrepreneurs in Indonesia the Philippines and Vietnam; and (2) increased adaptation of Canadian mentoring and management best practices by MSMEs owned and managed by women youth and other aspiring entrepreneurs in Malaysia Papua New Guinea and Thailand.