OAS MSME Newsletter: ( May 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
Catalogue of Market- Ready women led MSMES in the Eastern Caribbean
This Catalogue serves as a strategic resource—a curated directory showcasing dynamic women-led businesses across various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, technology, and the creative sectors.
Salta hosted “CASFOG SME Day” to promote regional productive development
This event aimed at strengthening the national productive framework was sponsored by the Argentine Chamber of Companies and Guarantee Funds (CASFOG), in conjunction with the Secretariat of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Entrepreneurs, and the Knowledge Economy. This event provided an opportunity to share information on financing tools, guarantees, business roundtables, and opportunities for collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The Minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy delivered 143 machines and equipment to women producers in three municipalities in the department of Santa Cruz through the “Project to Strengthen Productive Units Led by Women with a Gender Perspective in Bolivia.”
Credit access program for low-income entrepreneurs
The Believe in the First Step Program, which boosts the offer of microcredit to people enrolled in the Unified Registry for Social Programs of the Federal Government, has been regulated by the Federal Government. The ordinance was published by the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight against Hunger (MDS). The measure reinforces the focus on territories of high socioeconomic vulnerability and prioritizes working with people with disabilities, women, young people, blacks, members of traditional and riverside populations.
Sebrae and Shopee launch platform to support digitization of small businesses
Sebrae and Shopee announce a new free training platform, aimed at helping small entrepreneurs thrive in the digital market. The initiative is part of the partnership established at the end of 2024 between the two organizations and seeks to strengthen Brazilian entrepreneurship through best practices to create and scale businesses in e-commerce.
Sercotec will provide $5 million to micro and small businesses and cooperatives
The Crece program has opened its annual call for applications, providing financing and technical assistance for investments that boost the development of the country’s SMEs. This year, the program will benefit nearly 1,000 SMEs and provides non-reimbursable grants of $5 million, which companies can use for investments and business management actions that will boost their growth and consolidation, while also allowing them to access new opportunities to scale their businesses.
MEIC and INA open applications for the “Support for Entrepreneurship 2025” Program
The program is an initiative aimed at entrepreneurs and microentrepreneurs with an existing, viable, and market-focused business model who wish to strengthen their capabilities, formalize their companies, and boost their growth. The program aims to provide specialized tools and support to ensure the continuity and sustainability of ventures with expansion potential by developing skills in strategic, financial, commercial, and operational management.
The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs (MICM) presented the results of the consultancy on the “Modernization of the Legal Framework for the Digital Economy and Electronic Commerce” project, which seeks to update national laws to make them compatible with new virtual business models. The report identifies gaps and challenges in the current legal framework and presents recommendations for improvement. It covers various critical areas, from cybersecurity and data protection to tax and customs regulations, with the goal of promoting a safe, reliable, and competitive digital environment.
Ambato Becomes a Gateway to Innovation
Fashion Week 2025, a fashion and innovation platform that showcases the province’s creative and productive potential. This event merges textile, footwear, and design traditions. The third edition proposes a comprehensive approach that connects fashion, tourism, and industry with a narrative rooted in Andean identity. The Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investment, and Fisheries, the Provincial Government of Tungurahua, and the Ninari Foundation have consolidated this platform to strengthen the productive sectors.
The Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries (MPCEIP) informs all foreign trade operators and the public that, in response to the entry into force of Resolution No. 2455 of the CAN (Mexico City), which adopts a new physical form for the Certificate of Origin applicable to intra-community trade between the Member Countries of the Cartagena Agreement.
Diploma in Good Environmental Practices for MSMEs 2025
In coordination with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), the Diploma in Good Environmental Practices for MSMEs 2025 was launched. This is a training initiative aimed at entrepreneurs and owners of micro and small businesses committed to sustainability. A total of 280 people have enrolled in this diploma, whose main objective is to strengthen the technical capacities of MSMEs so they can implement responsible environmental practices, reduce their ecological impact, and, at the same time, improve their competitiveness in the market.
The National Commission for Micro and Small Enterprises (CONAMYPE) signed a memorandum of understanding with SALCAN INVERSIONES, S.A. de C.V., with the aim of providing new opportunities to micro and small enterprises registered in the MSME registry through access to strategic services that boost their growth. This agreement includes three key areas of cooperation: preferential foreign trade solutions; promotion of e-commerce; and printing services with exclusive benefits.
Launch of the Interactive Artisan Development Center
The Government of El Salvador inaugurated the Interactive Artisan Development Center (CEDART Interactivo). This space aims to strengthen the capacities of MSEs in the artisanal sector in key areas such as marketing, innovation in product design, promotion and dissemination of artisanal heritage, integrating technology with cultural richness in an emblematic and attractive environment for the public.
Strategic Tools: MSMEs Strengthen Their Knowledge of Value Chains
More than 60 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises participated in the workshop “In Which Area of the Value Chain Do I Identify Myself as a Company?”, organized by the Vice Ministry of MSME Development through the Business Development Services Directorate. This activity allowed them to acquire practical tools to boost their growth and identify their role within the value chain, which will help them make better decisions and take advantage of new opportunities.
MSMEs are trained to sell to the government and open new business opportunities
With the goal of enabling more micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to sell to the government, the Ministry of Economy (Mineco), through the Vice Ministry of MSME Development and its MSME State Supplier Program of the Business Development Services Directorate, conducted the training “Processes and Requirements to Become a State Supplier.” This initiative helps more Guatemalan businesses access new opportunities and grow through government procurement.
With the goal of providing Guatemalans with faster and more accessible procedures, the General Commercial Registry of the Republic and the Second Property Registry signed an Inter-Institutional Cooperation Agreement that marks an important step forward in the modernization of public services and directly supports those who want to start a business.
Guatemala advances its export promotion strategy
The main objective is to ensure that more Guatemalan products reach other countries around the world, which can translate into more jobs, better incomes, and new opportunities for many families. The Ministry of Economy reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting those who export products made in Guatemala, seeking to increase their sales opportunities abroad.
MSMEs advance toward formality with tax support from MINECO
The Vice Ministry of MSME Development, through the Directorate of Business Development Services, continues to promote the growth and formalization of the national productive sector through concrete actions. On this occasion, more than 60 representatives of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises participated in a workshop aimed at strengthening their tax capacities, held on April 25, 2025, at the Municipal Entrepreneurship Center.
This year, the target markets are Canada, the United States, and Germany; and the participating sectors include textiles and agrifood, strategic areas with high potential for international growth. Since its launch, the program has enabled more than 500 Mexican women to market their products in more than 30 countries, including the European Union, Australia, Japan, Chile, and Costa Rica.
The Government of Mexico, through the Ministry of Economy and in collaboration with various national institutions and international organizations, inaugurated the sixth edition of the Mujer Exporta MX program, an initiative that promotes the inclusion of more women entrepreneurs in global markets, reaffirming the commitment to the democratization of foreign trade and gender equality in the economic sphere.
Business Roundtable in San Pedro Closes with Over 50 billion Gs in Business Proposals
With a total of 95 participants, including MSMEs and agricultural producers from different locations in the region, and with over 140 business proposals, a new edition of the Roundtable closed in the country’s second-largest department.
SBDC Centers Boost Over 6 Billion Gs in Sales and Boost the Economy of MSMEs
In the first quarter of the year, clients advised by the Business Development Centers (SBDC Paraguay) recorded an increase in sales exceeding 6 billion Gs, an injection of more than 140 Gs. 2.6 billion in capital, the formalization of 140 companies, and the creation of 60 new jobs.
MIC offers companies the most comprehensive web platform on Paraguay’s technical regulations.
Producers, industrialists, exporters, and importers have at their disposal a web platform with clear, user-friendly, and accessible information on the technical regulations of Paraguay and other members of the World Trade Organization (WTO): The National Information and Notification System on Technical Regulations, Standards, and Conformity Assessment Procedures (SNIN).
Expo Education 2025: Presentation on Promoting Entrepreneurial Culture
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), through the Vice Ministry of MSMEs, participated in Expo Education 2025 this Wednesday, giving a presentation entitled “Promoting Entrepreneurial Culture,” in which it addressed the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial spirit from the formative stages, fostering an innovative and resilient mindset among young people.
PRODUCE Kicks Off MSME Week with Digital Tools Training for Entrepreneurs
As part of the kickoff of MSME Week activities, the Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) held the sixth edition of the Digital Training Session (SED MYPE), where more than 120 entrepreneurs participated in person in practical sessions to strengthen their digital and commercial skills. The event, organized by the National Tu Empresa Program, aims to reduce the technological gaps in MSMEs through the direct use of tools such as artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and social media management. The methodology applied seeks immediate knowledge transfer through personalized advice, access to digital platforms, and real-time exercises.
PRODUCE: Peru closed 2024 with 2.34 million formal businesses
The Ministry of Production (PRODUCE) reported that, at the end of 2024, the number of formal businesses in Peru reached 2,346,592, an increase of 1.65% compared to the 2023 figure. Furthermore, of the total number of businesses registered in 2024, 99.1% (2,326,126) were micro and small enterprises (MSEs), which contribute 20.2% of the national GDP, and experienced an increase of 1.59% compared to the 2023 figure. MSMEs are primarily concentrated in the trade and services sectors, which together represent 85.8% of the total.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities and the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) held a certificate presentation ceremony, May 12, 2025 to recognize and congratulate 37 persons who participated in the Small Business Development Centre’s (SBDC) Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Initiative. The initiative, a five-week course, was attended by entrepreneurs who were mostly persons with disabilities. Through their participation they received training and advice on developing their businesses and made meaningful steps towards breaking barriers and achieving greater independence.
Operationalization of SME Forex Window by the Export Import Bank of Trinidad and Tobago
The Ministry of Finance wishes to advise of the launch of the SME Forex Window as a pilot project through the Export Import Bank of Trinidad and Tobago which will expand the existing forex programmes that are in place by the Government and is specifically targeted to supporting small and medium business growth and economic activity. Currently, this new forex window will be available to clients of Republic Bank Limited (RBL) and First Citizens Bank Limited (FCB) and can be accessed by small and medium businesses across all business sectors including retail and services. Eligible businesses could access up to US$50,000.00 per month to pay international business expenses which is expected to improve forex access for many of companies in the very near term.
Small Business Administration Celebrates First 100 Days Accomplishments
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) celebrated the tremendous success of the First 100 Days by highlighting the economic wins, including an 80% increase in SBA loan approvals which are driving historic rates of growth, hiring, and investment for America’s small businesses. The agency also laid out its top accomplishments under the new leadership– including major reforms to cut waste, enhance government efficiency, restore fiscal responsibility, and refocus the agency on its core mission of empowering small businesses and growing the economy.
Dinapyme Promotes Meetings to Strengthen Local Development
The National Directorate of Crafts, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises is advancing a decentralization strategy through meetings with entrepreneurs from Canelones, Lavalleja, Maldonado, and Salto. The goal is to listen to their needs and foster partnerships that strengthen shopping centers and promote growthfor each region.
