The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is a Paris-based body with 38 member countries. Among other areas of responsibility, its secretariat provides a broad range of policy research and data to support the economic development and inclusion of entrepreneurs and SMEs. Their SME, entrepreneurship, and tourism webpage can be accessed here. Other resources include:

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is an important focus of the OECD. The OECD provides analyses and information on entrepreneurship policies, including case studies and reviews. In this context, the OECD examines primarily the obstacles and enablers of entrepreneurship for industrial transition and growth.

Financing SMEs

The OECD has included financing SMEs as one part of its research and policy recommendations. Through the documentation of SME finance trends and the sharing of knowledge and learning in this subject, the OECD seeks to strengthen SMEs’ access to credit.

The G20 & SME Agenda

The G20 & SME agenda, in particular as regards SME finance, has been pushed by the OECD as an important piece of international SME policy. Ways that the OECD has contributed to this work include through the G20/OECD High-Level Principles on SME Financing and the report on G20/OECD Effective Approaches for Implementing the G20/OECD High-Level Principles on SME Financing.   Other examples include its contribution to platforms like the Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI).

The OECD iLibrary

The OECD iLibrary is an important resource that provides searchable access to OECD research, including on SMEs. 

SME Digitalisation

SME Digitalisation, or the OECD “Digital for SMEs Global Initiative,” is a platform for OECD governments, large business, industry experts, and the SMEs themselves to work together on the digital transformation of SMEs. The initiative’s focus is on providing research, SME experience sharing, and a space for policy dialogue on SMEs and digitalization.

SME Performance Analysis

An SME Performance analysis by the OECD in conjunction with national and local governments can be undertaken to analyze the potential of SMEs in a specific economy and examine how to unlock this capacity.

SME Ministerial Meeting

The 2018 SME Ministerial Meeting was a ministerial-level conference of 55 OECD Member and Non-Member countries, as well as international organizations and associations. Held in Mexico, the conference was held to discuss ways to enhance SME productivity and inclusive growth. At the end of the session, the 55 countries adopted the Declaration on Strengthening SMEs and Entrepreneurship for Productivity and Inclusive Growth (also available in French).

Businesses & Entrepreneurs

Find a concise overview of key aspects of international trade for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises with our Businesses & Entrepreneurs Guides.

Policymakers & Researchers

Find a concise overview of key aspects of trade and MSME-related policymaking with our dedicated library of Policymakers & Researchers Guides.