SICE: MSME Clearinghouse: Newsletter

MSME Newsletter - OAS WEE MSME Clearinghouse Exchange of Experiences – St. Kitts and Nevis

We are delighted to share experiences from our fourth country highlighted from the OAS Women Economic Empowerment project’s MSME Clearinghouse. We begin with our National Focal Point institutions then view some insightful resources from members of our National Working Group.

The Small Business Development Center St. Kitts (SBDC St. Kitts), formerly the National Entrepreneurial Development Division (NEDD), has made significant strides over its years of existence. SBDC St. Kitts is focused on serving the development and technical assistance needs of micro, small, and medium-size businesses with its mandate to provide technical support at the startup and development stages of small enterprises with the aim of creating a more diverse economy.

The Saint Kitts Investment Promotion Agency (SKIPA) is a government supported organization established in 2007. This agency's major focus is that of Investment Promotion primarily geared at foreign direct investment (FDI). SKIPA falls under the supervision of the office of the Prime Minister and reports directly to the Senior Secretary in that Ministry. The Agency has as its Mission "To proactively promote and generate strategic investments for Saint Kitts and to facilitate the establishment and expansion of local and foreign investment projects, while advocating for the continued development and enhancement of the investment environment in Saint Kitts.

The Development bank of St. Kitts and Nevis is a statutory corporation hence the major shareholder is the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. The bank has its main branch on St. Kitts with a sub - branch on Nevis. While the main focus of the bank is Development financing, there is a Business Support Unit that provides support services to people who benefit from the financial offerings/ products of the Bank.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Customs Department is a government agency with the responsibility of protecting the country from potential risks arising from international trade and travel, while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and goods across our borders.

The St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SKNCIC) is the leading private sector organization in which the focus is to nurture and create the right environment to foster sustainable economic growth.

The MSME Clearing House is a platform dedicated to support and empower women entrepreneurs in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector. Our mission is to provide a centralized hub of resources and information tailored specifically to the needs of women-owned businesses.

The Minister of Economy, together with the Secretary of Industry and Productive Development of the Nation, met with more than 300 exporting SMEs from all over the country that, through the Potencia PyMEx Program, improve their processes and products to quickly increase their exports and reach more markets. The MSMEs that participate in the program represent 10.5% of SME exports, are large job creators and sell their products to 150 countries.

This new system brings together Sebrae products, both paid and free, in a single environment. Online and in-person courses, lectures, seminars and workshops for entrepreneurs gathered in a single space. This is the proposal of Loja Sebrae, a platform that provides access to products and services developed by the institution (paid or free), quickly and securely. The objective is to unify the shopping experience in a virtual environment for all of Brazil – until the beginning of this year, each state unit had its own way of offering training over the internet.

With the objective of promoting the competitiveness and productivity of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Dominican Republic, the Export and Investment Center of the Dominican Republic (ProDominicana) and the Dominican Postal Institute (INPOSDOM) signed a collaboration agreement to develop a portfolio of products and services for the benefit of these types of business.

On September 8, 9 and 10, 2023, the + SMEs for the world-Edition Chakra will take place and bring together small and medium-sized enterprises from Tungurahua, Cotopaxi, Chimborazo and Pastaza.

Within the framework of the 194 Loja Fair, a multi-sector event, created with the objective of promoting the regional economy and border integration, which took place from August 31 to September 17, +SMEs arrives for the world Loja; a dynamic and interactive space that seeks to connect commercial and business opportunities to boost the productive and economic competitiveness of the country.

+SMEs for the World, the strategy carried out by the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries for the strengthening and promotion of MSMEs, entrepreneurs, artisans, and the popular and solidarity Economy, will include a guidelines to develop a business anthropology study. Its purpose is understanding in depth the sociocultural behaviors of the participating productive units and its impact on the development of their businesses.

The Government of El Salvador, through the National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE), together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (RREE), will sign an agreement to establish the first Trading House in Central America. With this new Marketing House located in Honduras, there are 32 stores in different areas of the globe such as: Europe, the United States, Colombia and Canada. The objective of these marketing houses is to establish strategic alliances for the promotion of the exportable offer of MSEs internationally.

The Government of El Salvador, through the National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE) in coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), held the closing of the course “Good Environmental Practices for SMEs”. There are about 35 entrepreneurs who have graduated from this edition of the course, which took place between May 4 and June 15 virtually.

The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, through the Distance Training Platform (PCD), will hold a free course on Financial Education aimed at Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Taking into account the importance of technology in the growth, development and commercialization of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, the Paraguayan Chamber of Electronic Commerce (CAPACE), together with the American University, with the support of the Vice Ministry of MSMEs of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), will survey the level of digital maturity of MSMEs in Paraguay.

The Ministry of Production will promote financial inclusion and tax flexibility with Sunat, these are necessary conditions to guarantee the growth of micro and small businesses in the country.

The Ministry of Production announces that it is working to promote government purchases from MSMEs, including five sectors of the Peruvian government, for more than S/ 1,144 million: the Ministry of Defense, with S/ 470 million; the Ministry of the Interior, with S/ 365 million; the Ministry of Education, with S/ 261 million; the Ministry of Development and Social Inclusion, with S/ 48 million; and the Ministry of Production; with S/ 486,000.

Produce will hold a National Business Roundtable with the participation of 100 MSMEs and 20 companies interested in making purchases

Saint Lucia

SSDF provides single mothers with entrepreneurship training

This is an initiative to encourage and motivate single mothers as they journey into the world of entrepreneurship. This Coaching Session was aimed at over thirty single and vulnerable mothers and it was organized by the Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF).

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United States

U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Call for Nominations for 2024 National Small Business Week Awards

The NSBW Awards recognize the outstanding achievements, triumphs, contributions, and resilience of SBA-assisted small businesses that help to drive the American economy.

SBA Dedicates $20 Million to New Small Business Export Growth

The U.S. SBA announced $20 million in grants awarded to 49 state and territory international trade agencies across the country as part of the SBA's State Trade Expansion Program (STEP).

SBA Launches “Investing in America: Small Business Tools and Resources” Webinar Series with Public Private Strategies Institute

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) formally announced today its “Investing in America: Small Business Tools and Resources” series, a new collaboration with Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) to expand public awareness of SBA’s programs, priorities, and initiatives that will empower business owners across the country, particularly those from underserved and disadvantaged communities.

SBA Announces $8 Million in PRIME Grants to Help Micro-Entrepreneurs

Grants will help 32 organizations with program development and provide training and technical assistance to improve access to capital for economically disadvantaged microentrepreneurs.

U.S. Small Business Administration to Host 10th Annual National Veterans Small Business Week Oct. 30 – Nov. 3

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that it will celebrate National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) for the tenth consecutive year. The week-long event will take place Oct. 30-Nov. 3, 2023, and includes in-person and virtual events highlighting the nation’s nearly two million Veteran-owned small businesses.

Launch of the Small Business Loan Program Improvements to Expand Access to Capital Starting August 1

Lending program improvements expand access to capital for small businesses and increases protection against fraud.

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Uruguay

Applications opened for Electronic Commerce and Digital Economy Course for SMEs

MIEM-Dinatel, together with the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP), opened applications for a new edition of the electronic commerce and digital economy course. It is aimed at entrepreneurs who own micro or small businesses (SMEs) and up to one additional worker. Applications opened until 9/24. Starts in October 2023.

Small and medium-sized dairy industries implement occupational health and safety measures with support from the MIEM

MIEM-Dinapyme and the Uruguayan Association of Dairy SMEs (AUPYL) carried out a pilot public-private cooperation program aimed at implementing regulations on occupational health and safety in 18 small and medium-sized dairy industries.

Launch of Acelera Maldonado, an inter-institutional initiative that will support food and beverage SMEs

The Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM), the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (INEFOP), the Chamber of Industries of Uruguay (CIU), and the Municipality of Maldonado presented Acelera Maldonado. This initiative will facilitate the growth of 30 companies in the food and beverage sectors, through support in various areas. Companies may apply until September 20.

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