As part of the efforts to consolidate the Network for Best Practices in SME Policy in Latin America and the Caribbean (RED-PPALC), and building on the progress made during the 3rd and 4th sessions of the Network, this new meeting is intended to serve as a technical working forum aimed at developing concrete outputs that will help strengthen public policies for SMEs in the region.

The previous meetings allowed for the strengthening of dialogue among member countries, international organisations and key stakeholders, promoting the exchange of experiences and the identification of common challenges in priority areas for business development. On this basis, this meeting aims to move towards a more operational and purposeful phase, focused on the consolidation of two deliverables spearheaded by Argentina’s Pro Tempore Presidency.

The agenda is structured around two strategic pillars aimed at strengthening the regional ecosystem supporting SMEs. The first is geared towards developing a regional framework of indicators for SMEs, through the discussion and validation of methodological aspects relating to definitions, calculation methods, information sources, data collection mechanisms and proxy indicators. The second pillar focuses on the development of a regional chapter on SME internationalisation policies, based on the identification of common experiences, approaches and priorities that will help strengthen the sector’s integration into international markets.

The main objective of the event is to strengthen regional cooperation and the generation of applied knowledge for the design and implementation of public policies focused on the development of SMEs, through the creation of a regional framework of indicators and the definition of guidelines for drafting a regional chapter on internationalisation policies.

This event specifically aims to:

1. Advance in the creation of a regional framework of indicators for SMEs

• Review and validate the methodologies for calculating the previously selected indicators.
• Identify and harmonise available sources of information across the participating countries.
• Define common mechanisms for data collection, including data collection templates and proxy indicators where necessary.

2. Define guidelines for drafting the regional chapter on SME internationalisation policies

• Identify the main themes and content to be included in the regional chapter.
• Share national experiences and best practices relating to business internationalisation.
• Develop a preliminary organisational and analytical framework for the document.

3. Strengthen technical coordination and consensus-building within the RED-PPALC

• Facilitate the joint development of regional tools and outputs.
• Strengthen regional cooperation on public policies for SMEs.

The event will take place online and will last a total of 120 minutes, from 10.00 to 12.00 (Caracas time).