OAS MSME Newsletter: (February 2026):
This OAS MSME Newsletter is published by the Department of Economic Development of the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI). It is dedicated to measures recently announced by OAS Member States to drive the economic recovery of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The policy responses vary from country to country and are specific to the economic circumstances of each Member State. Given that every day produces new developments, this inventory is in no way exhaustive.
Government guarantees support to the productive and self-employed sector in Santa Cruz
With the aim of providing direct support to the productive sector, the Vice Ministry of Micro, Small Business and Crafts assisted the Confederation of Self-Employed Workers and Social Organizations of Santa Cruz. The event was consolidated as a space for direct dialogue, in which the sectors made the formal delivery of projects designed to enhance the competitiveness of artisans and small agricultural producers in the region.
Free course teaches small businesses to grow with digital marketing
Companies that want to strengthen their digital presence and generate results in a short time can now enroll in UP Digital, a Sebrae program aimed at practical training in digital marketing. The initiative is especially suitable for those who want to structure or improve online strategies and transform knowledge into action.
Contrata+Brasil generates R$ 13.7 million in income for MEIs
Individual microentrepreneurs can register on the platform to provide services to public agencies across the country. Contrata+Brasil, of the federal government, makes this much-needed bridge with public agencies to open opportunities to individual microentrepreneurs, with less bureaucracy and more agility for everyone. Contrata+Brasil brings together 1,311 public agencies, including city halls, state governments, federal agencies and entities. Through the program’s platform, MEIs can offer their services directly to public agencies without formal bidding.
The pet market continues to heat up Brazil. Between 2023 and 2025, there was a 22% increase in the number of small businesses created to serve different types of pet owners. One of the justifications for this increase is the annual growth of 2.5% in cat owners, who take care of a population of approximately 30 million felines and are already consolidating themselves as the fastest growing pet segment in the country.
Sebrae and ANPD sign agreement to extend guidance on data protection to small businesses
Micro and small companies across the country now have more support to adapt to the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) with the Technical Cooperation Agreement signed this month, between Sebrae and the National Data Protection Agency (ANPD). With the initiative, the adoption of good governance and information security practices becomes more accessible to small businesses.
Brazil and Mozambique strengthen cooperation to support small businesses
Representatives of Mozambican agencies are on Brazilian soil this week to exchange experiences in relation to entrepreneurship. The partnership between Brazil and Mozambique to strengthening small businesses and stimulating entrepreneurship in both countries continues. With this objective, a delegation from the African country was at Sebrae’s headquarters, in Brasilia. The initiative looks forward to reinforcing integrated actions of training, cooperation, exchange of experiences in public policies, and modernization of the business environment.
An analysis by Sebrae on the text of the Mercosur-EU Agreement, which reduces tariff and bureaucratic barriers in trade between the two blocs, projects an increase in the volume of exports and revenue for important segments of the economy where there is a strong presence of Brazilian micro and small companies.
Government of Canada supports small and medium-sized enterprises to navigate CUSMA compliance
Toronto Region Board of Trade to deliver targeted trade programming for small and medium-sized enterprises to be compliant under the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. As global trade conditions evolve and supply chains face increasing complexity, the Government of Canada is taking action to help Ontario businesses strengthen their trade readiness and competitiveness in key export markets.
The call is aimed at small stores, which will be able to access a subsidy of $3 million for their technological strengthening and modernization. With a view to promoting the technological development of neighborhood businesses, the Technical Cooperation Service, Sercotec, announced the opening of applications for its Digitize your Warehouse program, the first of the competitive funds that the entity makes available this year in support of micro and small enterprises in the country.
National Government promotes about 50 MSMEs of Tungurahua in the Fruit and Flower Festival
The National Government, through the Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade and Investment, strengthens the participation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Tungurahua in the seventy-fifth edition of the Fruit and Flower Festival, generating strategic spaces that allow entrepreneurs to exhibit and market their products, as well as expand their access to new markets.
As part of its strategy to strengthen the internationalization of micro and small enterprises (MSEs), CONAMYPE developed the Showroom for the exportable offer of nostalgic food products, a specialized space aimed at positioning Salvadoran products with cultural identity and potential for access to international markets.
2025 Results: More financing for MSMEs throughout the country
Between January and December 2025, the Vice Ministry of Development of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) of the Ministry of Economy, through CrediMIPYME, placed 1,004 loans. CrediMIPYME operates as a financial instrument of the Ministry of Economy aimed at facilitating access to credit for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, through the intermediation of 29 financial institutions throughout the national territory. Under this scheme, the Ministry does not grant loans directly. It channels the resources through qualified financial institutions, responsible for making the disbursements to the beneficiary entrepreneurs.
Agro-industrial and artisanal MSMEs in Colón receive key training for their growth
With the aim of strengthening the productive and competitive capacities of the agro-industrial and artisanal sector on the Atlantic Coast, around 35 agro-industrial entrepreneurs and artisans successfully participated in the first day of training 2026, developed under the slogan “Alliance for the development of Agroindustry and Handicrafts of Colón”. The day allowed participants to strengthen their knowledge through the exchange of experiences, good practices and tools aimed at sustainable business development.
Government announces establishment of the Entrepreneur’s Space in Azuero
During the Azuero International Fair, the creation of the Entrepreneur’s Space for the Azuero region was announced, as part of the strategy to reactivate the regional economy in support of those Panamanians with microenterprises and who wish to generate income through honest and well-structured businesses.
MIC and ADEX Peru strengthen cooperation to promote the internationalization of MSMEs
The Vice Ministry of MSMEs of the MIC and the Association of Exporters of Peru (ADEX), signed a framework agreement for inter-institutional cooperation, which seeks to strengthen the competitiveness and international projection of Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in both countries, in addition to establishing a permanent channel of bilateral cooperation. The agreement aims to promote the internationalization of MSMEs through the exchange of technical knowledge, capacity building, joint trade promotion and investment attraction.
Participation of MSMEs in the Zero Hunger program is expanded and reaches 10%
The Government of Paraguay announced the doubling from 5% to 10% of the participation of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the school feeding program, a measure that will directly impact a scheme that benefits more than one million students throughout the country. In 2025 alone, purchases from MSMEs reached a little more than USD 20 million (8%), with around 600 related companies, and more than 9,000 invoices issued.
PRODUCE and APEC publish research on financial support schemes for SMEs in times of crisis
The Ministry of Production and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) published the results of the international study “Study on the Effects of Financial Support Schemes on the Performance of SMEs during COVID-19: A Comparative Analysis”, developed within the framework of the APEC Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Working Group. The research analyzes and compares the financial support policies implemented during the pandemic in five APEC economies: Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico and Peru.
The central objective of the meeting was to present the Government’s roadmap to boost the productivity and competitiveness of key sectors, aligning with the long-term objectives of the Strategic Plan for National Development to 2050.
The Department of Commerce administered a capacity-building training component under the Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) Loan-Grant Facility. To date, the MSME Loan-Grant Facility has provided critical access to finance to more than 700 MSMEs across Saint Lucia. Building on this success, the Facility is now focused on strengthening resilience and long-term sustainability within the MSME sector through targeted technical support and capacity-building initiatives.
Exploratory Consultation to Strengthen the Business Ecosystem for SMEs
As part of its Business Development Services, the SURGE program supports a Program Managers Dispatch (PUM mission) to strengthen SURGE beneficiary companies. In addition to their direct support to individual SMEs, PUM experts are also interested in contributing to broader initiatives to strengthen the local business ecosystem in Suriname.
The 2025 Industrial Fund closed with record applications
The MIEM closed the 2025 edition of the Industrial Fund, a tool aimed at MSMEs, key to promoting investments in the sector through non-reimbursable funds. With 127 applications – the highest number in its 15 years – 20 companies were selected, 60% from the interior of the country. In total, more than $55 million will be granted to strengthen productive diversification, value addition, the incorporation of technology and insertion in foreign markets.
14 women who lead Uruguayan MSMEs will receive funds from the government for more than $ 5,000,000
The Ministry of Industri, Energy and Mining (MIEM) announced the names of the 14 winning MSME leaders of the Women Who Transform 2025 call. The applicants presented projects focused on the growth, consolidation and competitiveness of their companies. Beneficiaries will receive non-reimbursable funds of up to $450,000 to finance their projects. In total, 150 applications were received from the 19 departments of the country.
