OAS MSME Newsletter: ( June 2025):
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.
OAS MSME Clearinghouse
Fintech Policy Guide for Governments and Key Stakeholders in the Eastern Caribbean
This Fintech Policy Guide, developed under the OAS Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) project, outlines the critical improvements needed in the regulatory and enabling environment for fintech businesses to operate in the Eastern Caribbean. The goal is to empower women-led and women-owned MSMEs to participate fully in the digital economy, improve their access to markets, and build sustainable livelihoods. The guide describes the barriers preventing diverse Payment Services Providers to penetrate the market, as well as those experienced by MSMEs while trying to adopt digital payments solutions available. The profile of businesswomen in the six countries in scope is described in the context, along with the digital financial services most powerful to expand their access to domestic and international markets.
Fintech Policy Guide for Governments and Key Stakeholders in the Eastern Caribbean – OAS WEE
The Government of the Province of Chubut and the Secretariat for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Entrepreneurship, and the Knowledge Economy of the Ministry of Economy, launched the Creating Local Capacities Program, an initiative aimed at boosting employment and entrepreneurial development through training and engagement with the private sector; with an emphasis on the province’s needs and challenges.
Sebrae and Petrobras sign partnership to strengthen local supply chain
Petrobras and Sebrae (Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service) signed a protocol of intent for the development of strategic guidelines within the scope of regional supply chains. Focusing on micro and small entrepreneurs, the partnership seeks to engage local suppliers in the Petrobras contracting process and is aligned with the guidelines established in its current business plan.
FG BNDES-Sebrae credit line begins to be offered
Bradesco is the first financial institution to operate the fund, which can leverage up to more than R$ 9.4 billion in credit for small businesses, with guidance from Sebrae
Bradesco will start offering a new credit line guaranteed by the FG BNDES-Sebrae Fund. The new financing option is intended for Individual Microentrepreneurs (MEI), and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) with revenues of up to R$ 4.8 million per year. The line can be contracted as of June 6 at Bradesco’s branch network throughout Brazil.
Why are small businesses essential at COP30?
COP30 represents a unique opportunity for the country to position itself as a global leader in sustainable development. However, for this leadership to be genuine, it is crucial that the voice of small businesses, true engines of the bioeconomy and conservation, is amplified and listened to carefully. These enterprises are living laboratories of innovation and sustainability. They demonstrate, in practice, that the standing forest is a very valuable asset, capable of generating income, jobs and well-being for local communities, while protecting biodiversity.
Application process for the Digital Kit Fund has changed.
Ruta Digital’s Digital Kit is a competitive benefit with application requirements and is aimed at companies that have taken courses at www.rutadigital.cl and that demonstrate learning progress following those training sessions. This fund provides a subsidy of $1,200,000 so that companies can acquire intangible assets, such as a website, digital accounting software (CRM), business management systems (ERP) for inventory and/or electronic invoicing, marketing and web positioning tools, and fixed assets (such as hardware, tablets, POS equipment), to digitize their businesses, thus putting into practice what they have learned in the virtual courses.
The initiative will allocate $437 million to strengthen representative organizations of micro and small businesses, trade unions, and cooperatives, with a focus on associativity, a gender perspective, digitalization, and decentralization.
Sercotec Announces Program to Strengthen Commercial Districts Across the Country
The initiative will provide financing and technical support over three years for 45 commercial districts to make investments that improve their commercial offerings and urban environment, enhancing areas such as security, infrastructure, and identity. The Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC) announced the launch of a new call for proposals for the Strengthening Commercial Neighborhoods Program, an initiative that, through collaboration, seeks to enable SMEs in the country’s commercial neighborhoods to increase their competitiveness and improve the urban environment in which they operate.
SERCOTEC invites you to use its Mipe Points service channels
With its commitment to continue supporting the country’s micro and small enterprises (MSMEs), the Technical Cooperation Service (SERCOTEC) invites business owners and entrepreneurs to use its service channels, which have already reached 13,000 customers so far this year.
Mipe Points, present in all regions, offer in-person and telephone service and are highly valued by users. According to the latest User Satisfaction Measurement (MESU), the in-person channel obtained 74% satisfaction (score 6 or 7), while the telephone channel reached 70%, reflecting the high level of service provided.
The initiative supported the strengthening and sustainability of micro and small businesses in different regions of the country. Of the total productive units impacted, 69% of the owners were women, and 88% generated between two and five jobs. Between 2024 and 2025, 550 micro and small businesses in six regions of Antioquia, Chocó, and Caldas strengthened their production processes with support, training, and specialized technical assistance to improve their productivity and growth.
Overall growth of 13.43% was achieved in key indicators during the execution of the 2025 program. One of the most significant advances was the 11% increase in the number of businesses that accessed the financial system through their own bank account.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, through iNNpulsa Colombia, and its program to strengthen and sustain small businesses in the popular economy, impacted 470 productive units in Tolima, Huila, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca that participated in the national government’s program. This program enhanced and strengthened their business skills in areas such as sales, organization, human talent, and personal development.
The Government of El Salvador, through CONAMYPE and MITUR (Ministry of Economics and Tourism), successfully completed the graduation ceremony for the “Boosting Your Business with Artificial Intelligence” diploma program. The purpose of this diploma program is to strengthen the capabilities of Salvadoran entrepreneurs and business owners through the use of digital tools and artificial intelligence, thus promoting a technological transformation that will allow them to improve the efficiency and sustainability of their businesses, especially those with an online presence.
FANTEL and CONAMYPE promote the growth of more than 37,000 entrepreneurs and artisans nationwide
The Government of El Salvador, through CONAMYPE and with the support of the Special Fund for Resources from the Privatization of ANTEL (FANTEL), has provided services to more than 37,000 micro and small businesses between June 2020 and May 2025, significantly contributing to strengthening their economic activities. These services are part of the projects “Developing the competitiveness of micro and small businesses for the generation of industries through the strengthening and development of value chains” and “Promoting and consolidating businesses in the artisanal sector, improving the marketable supply of products with greater added value “.
With the goal of promoting business formalization and strengthening the legal knowledge of business owners and entrepreneurs, the “Informative Workshop on Institutional Processes” was successfully held on May 15 in the municipality of San Benito, Petén. The activity brought together 50 participants from the central area of the department, who received key information for the formal and sustainable development of their businesses over the course of a day.
Guatemalan MSMEs Jump into the Global Market with Digital Marketing Tools
Antigua, Guatemala hosted the workshop “Marketing Without Borders: Reach More Customers Around the World,” in which Guatemalan entrepreneurs and businesspeople participated, seeking to strengthen their commercial capabilities to conquer new international markets.
More than 200 entrepreneurs showcased their businesses at the Cordillera Opu’a Fair
A new 2.0 edition of the Cordillera Opu’a Fair was held, with the participation of more than 200 entrepreneurs from the region. They had the opportunity to offer their products to visitors, thus boosting the visibility of their businesses and helping to stimulate the local economy. During the event, they combined the exhibition and sale of artisanal, agricultural, culinary, and traditional textile products.
Paraguayan MSMEs expand their productive capacity with support from the PCM
As part of the MSME Competitiveness Program (PCM), the Vice Ministry of MSMEs officially inaugurated the machinery delivered to Kimchi Club and Nuestra Esencia Paraguay S.A., two Paraguayan companies that are consolidating their growth with the support of this initiative. It should be noted that the objective of the PCM is to improve the productivity, competitiveness, and innovation capacity of MSMEs. It also focuses on helping MSMEs access new markets and generate new jobs.
Tools to Boost MSMEs’ Internationalization are Presented
The Vice Ministry of MSMEs presented this Wednesday the “Export Guide for MSMEs” and the “Export Checker,” both tools designed to strengthen the export capacity of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. The first tool is the “Export Guide for MSMEs,” a free digital document that offers a clear and detailed roadmap for those wishing to begin or improve their export process. The second tool is the “Export Checker,” a practical self-assessment tool that allows companies to measure their level of export readiness.
PRODUCE and International Cooperation launch web portal and technological services for MSMEs
More than 50 services will be available through the ITP CITE network in 10 regions of the country. With the goal of strengthening the sustainability of the Peruvian productive ecosystem, the Ministry of Production (Produce), through the Technological Institute of Production (ITP) and the National Program for Technological Development and Innovation (ProInnóvate), launched the “My Circular Company” web portal, as well as new technological tools and services aimed at MSMEs.
The commercial activity organized by PRODUCE will seek to create new opportunities for companies, connect them directly with national buyers, and enhance their products.
The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE), through the National Your Company Program, will promote the participation of 500 micro and small enterprises (MSEs) from across the country in the second edition of Cyber Wow 2025, the largest virtual e-commerce fair in Peru, which will take place from July 14 to 17. MSEs interested in applying must meet requirements such as having an active RUC (Tax Identification Number), belonging to the production and/or services sector, having active social media accounts, offering digital payment methods and value-added products, among other criteria.
Small business owners benefit from Business Name Search and Registration Drive
Over 100 small business owners from Laborie village and surrounding areas have officially started the registration process of their businesses. A total of 135 business name searches were conducted, signaling the entrepreneurs’ eagerness to take their businesses to the next level.
EZ supports SMEs through SURGE implementation workshop
The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Entrepreneurship and Technological Innovation (EZ) supports Surinamese micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through the Suriname Growth Enterprise (SURGE) program. In this context, the companies of Cohort 4, which have now signed their Grant Agreement, participated in an implementation workshop focused on their Sales Growth Plan. During this workshop, the entrepreneurs were guided by experts in the field of Environmental & Social Standards (ESS) and procurement procedures. The sessions provide practical guidelines for the responsible implementation of growth plans, taking into account the guidelines of the World Bank. The workshop took place on Thursday, June 5, 2025.
Improving SME Participation in the Tacuarembó Local Market
Dinapyme’s Territorial Development Department, together with the Tacuarembó Business Association and the Tacuarembó Development Agency, have been coordinating an initiative for several months to improve the participation of MSMEs in the Tacuarembó and regional markets by promoting local supply relationships. This work seeks to identify current demands and strengths to generate opportunities for improvement in local supply and to enhance MSME participation as suppliers to large companies or as suppliers of suppliers.
