The UN General Assembly, recognizing the need to improve small business development, decided to designate 27 June as Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day through its resolution A/RES/71/279. The goal is to encourage member states to facilitate observance of the day by increasing awareness and actions to support small business.
The ENGINE Business Network, building on the ongoing efforts and conversation on the COVID-19 Pandemic and realization that humanity would have to live with the virus for a while, we will capitalize on themes and synergies to organize an event to celebrate MSME Day. The event would also coincide with Launch of our 2020 edition of the EDGE Conference and Exhibitions.
Smaller businesses can be agile in response to a changing world grappling with a Pandemic but their size also makes them vulnerable. The disruption of supply chains have presented MSMEs with both challenges and opportunities. Identifying these new opportunities and navigating trade-related procedures can be harder for small businesses than for their larger competitors. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda recognized the importance of MSMEs and call for action to improve their access to finance, value chains and markets.
The MSME Day 2020 would explore how MSME Manufacturing Capabilities are Responding to COVID-19 and Opportunities Beyond the pandemic.