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First Meeting of the Network of Best Practices for SME Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean

Information

Date Montevideo, Uruguay. 10 and 11 July 2025

Hour 13:30h

Modality Hybrid

Location Montevideo, Uruguay.

Background

In order to learn more about challenges faced by SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean and to develop more targeted policies, the OECD Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Programme partnered with CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA) to adapt the OECD’s SME Policy Index: Latin America and the Caribbean (IPPALC) methodology to the region’s context for the first time in 2016. The IPPALC is an analytical tool developed by the OECD, in co-operation with international partners, to map SME policies and programmes in order to assess the alignment of best practices over time.

Based on the findings of the IPPALC, the Network of Best Practices on SME Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean aims to facilitate exchange, create spaces for dialogue and foster integration among Latin American and Caribbean countries on SME policy issues. It highlights the importance of strengthening SME policy in the region and its impact on sustainable economic development.

Objectives

The main objective of the event is to launch the Network of Best Practices for SME Policies in Latin America and the Caribbean. The meeting will place special emphasis on harnessing the potential of SMEs to scale up their growth, as an engine of inclusive and sustainable development, favouring access to new markets, participation in value chains and the digital and green transition.

The specific objectives of the event are as follows:

Present the Network and its functioning.
Generate a space for open dialogue on shared challenges and shared solutions for the development of more effective SME policies in the region.
Identify barriers in the implementation of best practices and strategies to overcome them.
Exchange successful internationalisation experiences.
Establish a common roadmap for the work of the Network during its first year of operation.

Structure of the Meeting

The event will take place over two days, combining public sessions and closed-door spaces for technical work:

Day 1 – Public sessions (open)

This day will be focused on sharing with a wide audience (policy makers, public sector, private sector, academia, international organisations and civil society) the launch of the Network and discussing the main trends, challenges and opportunities for SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Thematic panels will focus on policy implementation, the use of data, and the internationalisation of SMEs.

Day 2 – Closed sessions (by invitation only)

Aimed at government representatives in charge of SME policy, Network focal points and strategic partners.
Work will be done on defining the governance of the Network, cooperation mechanisms and a roadmap for shared work.
Subregional dialogue tables will also be held to identify priorities and synergies.

Agenda

Day 1: 10 July 2025 VENUE: Sala Idea Vilariño, Edificio Telecomunicaciones ANTEL, Guatemala 1075
Time	Session
13:30 – 14:00	Registration and reception of participants Welcome
14:00 – 15:15	SESSION 1: CONNECTING SOLUTIONS: LAUNCH OF THE NETWORK OF BEST PRACTICES FOR SME POLICIES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN This session will mark the official launch of the Network of Best Practices for SME Policies, a regional platform to share experiences, promote cooperation among countries and strengthen the formulation and implementation of public policies. In a context of shared challenges, such as informality, access to finance and internationalisation, the Network seeks to connect solutions and generate value added through dialogue and mutual learning. Guiding questions: Why is a regional SME policy network important at this time? What are the main shared challenges faced by SMEs in the region and how can they be addressed collectively? How can this Network contribute to improving policy implementation and generating a greater impact on the productive and inclusive development of SMEs? Moderator: TBC Speakers Minister Fernanda Cardona, Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, Uruguay José Antonio Ardavín, Head of the Latin America and the Caribbean Division, OECD Juan Carlos Elorza, Director of Technical and Sectoral Analysis, Vice-Presidency of the Private Sector, CAF Clarems Endara, Permanent Secretary, SELA Francisco Tadeu Barbosa de Alencar, Executive Secretary, Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Micro and Small Enterprises, Brazil Minister Mario Lubetkin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Uruguay
15:15-15:30	Coffee break

15:30-17:00

SESSION 2: PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR GLOBAL SMES

SME internationalisation requires not only appropriate regulatory frameworks, but also active collaboration between the public and private sectors. This session will explore how strategic partnerships can strengthen SMEs’ capacities to integrate into global value chains, adopt technologies, access finance and position themselves in new markets. Concrete experiences of cooperation will be highlighted, as well as the factors that make these partnerships sustainable and effective.

Moderator:

Keynote speeches

Adolfo Castejón, Chief Executive Officer, Directorate for Technical and Sectoral Analysis, Vice-Presidency of the Private Sector, CAF
Javier Rodríguez, Economic Recovery Analyst, SELA
“Mapping of Productive Niches in LAC: Experiences and lessons learned”

Panel commentators

Uruguay XXI
Paraguay
Colombia/Chile

Guiding questions:

What types of public-private partnerships have proven to be successful in boosting SME internationalisation?
How can governments create conditions conducive to fostering such partnerships?
What role do large companies, business associations and financial institutions play in this joint effort?

Day 2: 11 July 2025 (by invitation) VENUE: Sala CAF. Ciudadela 1235.
Time	Session
10:00 – 10:15	OPENING REMARKS
10:15 – 11:15	SESSION 3: CONNECTING SOLUTIONS: LAUNCH OF THE NETWORK OF BEST PRACTICES FOR SME POLICIES IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN This closed technical session aims to follow up on the launch of the results of the IPPALC 2024 and the Network of Best Practices for SME Policies. Countries will share whether there have been any advances, adjustments or new initiatives in their national SME policies since the publication of the report. Initial impressions will also be gathered on the usefulness and potential of the Network, with a view to strengthening its working dynamics and adapting it to the needs of the members. Moderation and presentation Daniela Sena, Policy Analyst and IPPALC Coordinator for the Latin America and Caribbean Region, OECD Guiding questions: Have there been any recent or planned changes in SME policies since the launch of IPPALC 2024? What aspects of the report have generated the most interest or impact at the national level? How do you perceive the value added of the Network so far, and what expectations do you have about its functioning and practical usefulness? Debate
11:15-11:30	Coffee break
11:30 – 12:30	SESSION 4: BOOSTING INTEGRATION: EXPERIENCES FROM LATIN AMERICAN BLOCS Regional integration experiences in Latin America have generated valuable opportunities to strengthen value chains, harmonise regulatory frameworks and promote the internationalisation of SMEs. Some blocs have implemented joint initiatives to facilitate intra-regional trade, improve access to finance, and foster innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises. This session will provide a space to reflect on how these dynamics can be scaled up. Moderation Javier Rodríguez, Economic Recovery Analyst, SELA Presentation Max Bulakovskiy, Head of Implementation and IPPALC Coordinator for the Southeast Asia region, OECD Guiding questions: How can IPPALC serve as a roadmap to guide regional coordination on SME policies? What joint initiatives have been effective in promoting SME internationalisation in regional integration processes? Debate
12:30 – 14:00	Lunch

Time	Session
14:00 – 15:00	SESSION 5: HOW TO KNOW IF IT WORKS: INDICATORS AND MONITORING MECHANISMS FOR SME POLICIES One of the areas of improvement most pointed out by countries in the IPPALC results was the strengthening of monitoring and evaluation systems. Without adequate measurement, it is difficult to know the real impact of policies and to make informed decisions. This session will focus on how to build effective monitoring frameworks, define relevant indicators and build institutional capacities to assess what works and what does not. Moderation Meyly Valdez, Senior Executive, Directorate for Technical and Sector Analysis, Vice-Presidency of the Private Sector, CAF Presentation CAF Guiding questions: What indicators are key to evaluate the impact of SME support policies? What best practices exist in the region or beyond to monitor programmes and policies? How can the Network support the development of comparable indicators and cross-country learning? Debate
15:00 – 16:00	SESSION 6: From Recommendation to implementation: challenges in transfer and adoption of best practices In the Latin American and Caribbean region, the implementation gap remains a major challenge, and SME policy is no exception. Agencies and institutions often face difficulties in translating international recommendations and best practices into concrete reforms/programmes, resulting in partial or limited implementation. Addressing the barriers to adopting and implementing recommendations is critical to maximise the impact of the reports in the region. Moderation Daniela Sena, Policy Analyst and IPPALC Co-ordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean Region, OECD Presentation Manuel Gerardo Flores, Senior Policy Analyst on Governance and Regulation, OECD Guiding question: What are the main obstacles faced in implementing SME policy recommendations and best practices? What experiences have been successful in adapting international recommendations to the local context? How can we ensure that best practices are not only known, but translated into concrete actions? Debate
16:00 – 16:30	SESSION 7: FINAL REFLECTIONS AND NEXT STEPS FOR EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION Following the official launch of the Network of Best Practices for SME Policies, this closed session will serve as a first starting point. Participants will be able to share their initial reactions, align expectations and validate next steps to keep the Network active and useful. It will also be an opportunity to move towards a more structured and strategic cooperation, based on common priorities. Guiding questions: How can the Network be leveraged to advance national and regional SME support agendas? What kind of activities or products would be most useful to maintain the dynamism and relevance of the Network in the short and medium term?

Information

Background

Objectives

Structure of the Meeting

Agenda

Themes

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