Small businesses, powerhouses of APEC’s economy: Ministers

JAKARTA – Ministers responsible for small and medium enterprises in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) have vowed to continue to address the needs of small businesses in Asia-Pacific through relief programs since they are the economic powerhouses.

The affirmation was made as the region moves through the next phases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic response and recovery, according to a statement issued by the 27th APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting and received here on Saturday.

Ministers convened virtually at the 27th APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Ministerial Meeting on Saturday, with a collective goal to strengthen the resilience of small businesses across the Asia-Pacific region focused on digitalization, inclusive growth, and well-being.

New Zealand’s Minister for Small Business Stuart Nash chaired the meeting.

In his opening remarks, Nash reiterated the role of small businesses as “the powerhouses of economies and communities.”

“They unite our communities. The survival and resilience of our small businesses through this pandemic is critical to a sustainable economic recovery and maintaining the cohesion of our communities,” Nash said.

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) constitute over 97 percent of businesses in the APEC region, employing over 60 percent of the workforce and comprising 40 to 60 percent of economic growth in most economies.

Nash urged members to acknowledge the essential role of trade in enabling a strong economic recovery for the region’s small businesses in the face of a global pandemic.

“Our economies need to take bold action to enhance MSMEs and start-ups, ensuring access to international markets and supply chains by facilitating an open and inclusive trade and investment environment,” he added.

APEC ministers acknowledged the critical importance of digitalization as an enabler of an effective recovery from economic shocks and agreed that the adoption of digital solutions and tools are no longer optional, but necessary.

“Rapid innovation and digital technologies have supported us to overcome many of the significant obstacles we have faced as a result of Covid-19, such as the restricted movement of goods and people,” Nash said.

“There are huge opportunities for APEC economies to enhance cooperation around adopting digital technologies and innovation to create more efficient and resilient futures for us all,” he added.

Nash also urged member economies to ensure that policies deliver economic opportunities for all, including women, indigenous people, and other vulnerable groups, as greater focus on inclusive growth will unleash untapped economic potential.

“Building small businesses’ resilience also needs to take into consideration the well-being of the owners,” he said. “By reducing disparities and improving the well-being of small businesses’ owners, APEC economies can increase engagement and productivity, and thus underpin economic stability and growth and enhance the overall well-being of our communities.”

Small businesses also have a significant role to play in fostering an environmentally sustainable recovery.

APEC ministers agreed to create an enabling environment for small businesses to engage in innovative, environmentally sustainable practices and activities. (Antara)