Access to Finance

 

Activities under Cluster 3 aim to improve the understanding of new trends in MSME financing and to enhance the capacities of policymakers and MSMEs to facilitate MSME access to finance.


In the area of access to finance, the project is delivering a series of national and regional studies on MSME financing. The studies give an overview of specific financing challenges, including COVID-19 related challenges, and discuss some recommendations and ‘take-aways’ that illustrate new and potential avenues of intervention for MSME finance in Asia and the Pacific region. They include an exciting and new paradigm to frame access to finance, which was inspired by the ikigai approach, and discuss the pivotal role of digitalisation (particularly digital payments), fintech and financial institutions to improve MSME’s access to financing in both intra-pandemic and post-pandemic situations.


The cluster is also delivering tailored training activities for policymakers and regulatory authorities such as courses and online tools on accounting for MSMEs (SMEGA) and on environmental and social reporting (GCI). Moreover, the project is preparing national and regional workshops which aim to enhance i) the knowledge and capacity of the stakeholders on MSME development to foster a favourable ecosystem for financial inclusion and sustainability, mainly through strengthening MSME clustering and digital financial solutions, and (ii) the resilience of MSMEs to mitigate the economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate MSMEs’ contributions to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

 

Team discussion on financial subject

Outputs

ESCAP

Regional Workshop on Breaking Down Barriers to Payments: The Evolution of Regulation and Winning Solutions in the Digital Age - 15 June 2022, 13:00 - 16:00 Indochina Time / Bangkok

ESCAP
This regional workshop provides an opportunity to enhance the understanding and knowledge of ESCAP member States on the innovations in payments and regulatory frameworks currently in place across the ESCAP region. The workshop also aims to bring best practices and innovations from across the ESCAP region and offer different approaches and perspectives for public and private sector stakeholders in adapting interoperable payment systems and leveraging digital solutions to support individuals and MSMEs.
ESCAP Bangladesh

Workshop on Rethinking MSME Finance: A Post-Crisis Policy Agenda in Bangladesh - 06 June 2022, 10:00 AM - 01:15 PM Bangladesh Standard Time

ESCAP
The objective of the National Workshop of Bangladesh is to enhance the knowledge and capacity of the stakeholders on MSME development to foster a favourable ecosystem for financial inclusion and sustainability in Bangladesh, mainly through strengthening MSME clustering and digital financial solutions for MSMEs. The workshop also aims to enhance the resilience of MSMEs in Bangladesh to mitigate the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and facilitate MSMEs’ contributions to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ESCAP Bhutan

Workshop on Rethinking MSME Finance: A Post-Crisis Policy Agenda in Bhutan - 25 April 2022, 09:30 AM - 12:30 PM Bhutan Standard Time

ESCAP
The National Workshop of Bhutan took place on 25 April 2022. It enhanced the knowledge and capacity of the stakeholders on MSME development to foster a favorable ecosystem for financial inclusion and sustainability, mainly through strengthening MSME clustering and digital financial solutions for MSMEs. The workshop also enhanced the resilience of MSMEs in Bhutan to mitigate the economic and social impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and facilitate MSMEs’ contributions to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
ESCAP Policy brief MSME finance

Policy brief: Rethinking MSME Finance in Asia and the Pacific

ESCAP
The policy brief proposes a holistic framework to capture new ways of thinking, post-COVID-19
Rethinking MSME Finance in Asia and the Pacific cover page

Rethinking MSME Finance in Asia and the Pacific: A Post-Crisis Policy Agenda

ESCAP
The book takes a broadly chronological approach and each chapter focuses on different stages of the pandemic’s effect on MSME finance in Asia and the Pacific: before, during, after and beyond.