AGENDA

This panel will bring together authorities, international organisations and representatives from the private sector to analyse the main challenges facing SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will address recent experiences in streamlining administrative procedures, regulatory reforms, access to finance and regional integration mechanisms, identifying opportunities to boost the sector’s growth and competitiveness.

Guiding questions

• What are the main obstacles SMEs face in accessing finance, and what successful examples are there in the region of how to overcome them?
• What lessons can be drawn from the streamlining of administrative procedures and recent regulatory reforms aimed at facilitating the growth of SMEs?
• What role can the private sector and international cooperation play in supporting more effective public policies for SMEs?

 Moderator:  Argentina (*To be confirmed)

 Speakers

• Argentina
• Juan Carlos Elorza, Director of Technical and Sectoral Analysis, Vice-Presidency for the Private Sector, CAF–Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
• José Antonio Ardavín, Head of the Latin America and Caribbean Division, OECD
• Lesly David, Permanent Secretary of SELA

This panel will focus on the strategies that SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean are using to grow and integrate into regional and global markets. It will explore opportunities in internationalisation, participation in value chains, digitalisation and the transition to more sustainable models, highlighting lessons learnt and best practices from different countries.

Guiding questions

• How might the agreement between Mercosur and the European Union create new opportunities for SMEs in the region, and what challenges need to be anticipated in order to fully realise their potential for accessing international markets? What strategies have countries in the region adopted to help SMEs participate in global regional value chains?
• How can SMEs leverage regional integration processes, such as Mercosur or the Pacific Alliance, to expand their international presence?

Moderator; Uruguay 

Presentations

• OECD/CAF/SELA
• Academia
• Mercosur
• Pacific Alliance 

Session 3: Strengthening the institutional framework for SMEs: best practices and national experiences 

This technical session aims to analyse the regulatory frameworks and institutional tools that countries have developed to strengthen SMEs. Definitions, associated benefits and experiences regarding SME registration and certification will be discussed, using recent practice in Argentina as an example.

Moderator: Daniela Sena, Policy Analyst and IPPALC Coordinator for the Latin America and Caribbean region, OECD

Presentation: Argentina

Discussion

Session 4: Promoting access to financing for SMEs: regional experiences and opportunities 

This closed-door technical session aims to analyse the financing mechanisms available to SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean. National experiences regarding public and private instruments, guarantees, inclusive credit and innovative tools will be discussed, as well as the challenges involved in expanding access to capital for smaller enterprises.

Moderator: Meyly Valdez, Senior Executive, Technical and Sectoral Analysis Department, CAF

Presentation: CAF

Discussion

Session 5: SMEs without borders: connecting with global markets 

This technical session will explore how SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean can capitalise on opportunities for internationalisation and access to global markets. Successful national experiences in regional integration, participation in value chains and international expansion strategies will be discussed. Furthermore, the potential of the Mercosur–European Union agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement and others to generate new trade opportunities will be analysed, along with the challenges that must be anticipated so that SMEs can benefit fully. 

Moderator: Javier Rodríguez, Economist at SELA

Discussion

Session 6: Simplifying for growth: regional experiences in regulatory improvement 

This technical session aims to analyse how various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have made progress in streamlining procedures, deregulation and regulatory improvement for SMEs. Recent national experiences will be discussed, including digitalisation processes, the reduction of administrative burdens and strategies to facilitate business formalisation and growth.

Moderator

• Daniela Sena, Policy Analyst and IPPALC Coordinator for the Latin America and Caribbean region, OECD 

Discussion

Session 7: Data that has an influence: measuring and connecting SMEs in the region 

This technical session will address the production and use of statistical information on SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean. It will discuss national methodologies, data dashboards and comparable datasets, as well as the development of regional technical documents to consolidate the evidence. The aim is to explore ways in which the network can function as an mplementer of this effort.

Moderator

• Meyly Valdez, Senior Executive, Technical and Sectoral Analysis Department, CAF 

Discussion