International Development Grant
APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership - Research and Training
Project Number: CA-3-D002649002
Status: Operational
Country/Region:
Regional Focus:
Maximum Contribution: $2,669,778.00
Start Date: September 08, 2016
End Date: May 31, 2021
Duration: 4.7 years
Project Description
This initiative seeks to reduce poverty in developing Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies by encouraging micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to expand into global and regional markets. The project consists of two main components: MSME Support and Research and Training. The Research and Training component implemented by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada provides training research and mentoring to MSMEs in developing APEC economies of Indonesia Vietnam the Philippines and Peru. For example Canada’s support funded the research studies surveys conferences training and mentoring focused on business and entrepreneurship skills access to markets for products and services and technological innovation. The MSME Support component of the project is a sub-fund managed by the APEC Secretariat that supports small-scale projects helping MSMEs in developing APEC economies to innovate grow and gain better access to global and regional markets. The two components have a combined contribution amount of $4.79 million.
Expected Results
The expected outcome for the Research and Training component of the project is: Canadian MSME policy research and management best practices applied to the context of developing APEC economies in a manner that directly supports poverty reduction green growth and women’s economic empowerment.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (June 2021) include: (1) completed four surveys and twelve research studies with a thematic focus on the challenges faced by MSMEs human capital for Indonesia social entrepreneurship for Peru market access for the Philippines and technology and innovation for Vietnam which resulted in a suite of policy recommendations presented to the lawmakers from APEC developing economies at the project Capstone Conference in May 2021; (2) applied Canadian MSME policy research and management best practices to the context of the developing APEC economies of Indonesia Philippines Peru and Vietnam to help provide an enabling environment for MSME growth poverty reduction green sustainable growth and women’s economic empowerment; (3) 68 women leaders of micro-small-medium enterprises 19 each from Indonesia and Vietnam and 15 each from the Philippines and Peru completed the 12-month Mentoring Women in Business Programme with their respective Canadian MSME champion-mentors. All 68 women MSME leaders-entrepreneurs highlighted in their mentoring feedback that their participation had increased their business confidence and leadership skills and their abilities to better understand their strengths and weaknesses in enterprise management. The women entrepreneurs reported improvement in knowledge and practical application of new skills in improving their respective businesses; (4) designed and delivered four thematic-focused MSME toolkits delving into practical business ideas to address challenges on key themes addressed by the project in the four focus economies: Invest In for Indonesia Give Back for Peru Scale Up for the Philippines and Start-Up for Vietnam. These toolkits were written in English and in the national language of the four focus economies and published online. They continue to be used by MSME leaders-entrepreneurs as evidenced by the increasing access (more than 8 000 views) on the project website; and (5) publicati
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
OGM Indo-Pacific
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Other technical assistance
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated