These books provides an overall account of small and medium enterprises in selected Asia-Pacific countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, China, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada. All of these countries have given high policy agenda on the development of small and medium enterprises since SMEs contribute significantly to the respective national economic development. The books therefore provides various experiences on SMEs, issues and challenges, incentive and policies adopted by various governments and, more significantly, prospects for growth and development potential of SMEs in the new millennium.

Presents selected papers from a September 1999 conference organized by the Center for Policy Research, University Science Malaysia, focusing on linkages and clusters in SMEs. Discusses building of business relationships and possible supply linkages through SMEs, and looks at efforts towards industrial development through linkages and reorganization of industrial clustering for SMEs with respect to the Japanese experience. Discusses policy in supporting SMEs in the UK with some lessons for Asian countries, and describes programs for financial support, policy reform, and business training. The editors are affiliated with University Science Malaysia. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

These books provides an overall account of small and medium enterprises in selected Asia-Pacific countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines, China, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Canada. All of these countries have given high policy agenda on the development of small and medium enterprises since SMEs contribute significantly to the respective national economic development. The books therefore provides various experiences on SMEs, issues and challenges, incentive and policies adopted by various governments and, more significantly, prospects for growth and development potential of SMEs in the new millennium.

The Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor provides data and analysis as a resource for evidence-based policy design. This year's edition focuses on South Asia. This first volume reviews micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) at the country and regional levels. It covers Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and examines MSME development, access to finance, and policies and regulations. It notes that revitalizing MSMEs by channeling more growth capital to them will be key to a resilient economic recovery from the pandemic. It highlights opportunities in formalizing MSMEs and connecting them to international markets, expanding digital skills, fostering technology-based start-ups, and supporting youth and women entrepreneurs.

The SME Policy Index is a benchmarking tool for emerging economies to monitor and evaluate progress in policies that support small and medium-sized enterprises.

The importance of financial inclusion is increasingly recognized by policymakers around the world. Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) financial inclusion, in particular, is at the core of the economic diversification and growth challenges many countries are facing. In the Middle East and Central Asia (MENAP and CCA) regions, SMEs represent an important share of firms, but the regions lag most others in terms of SME access to financing.

A vibrant stratum of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is critical for the growth and development of Asian economies. These enterprises generate employment, contribute to investment, participate in value chains, and support innovation. SMEs that seek to sustain and grow their operations, however, face a variety of constraints, many of which are directly related to size. These so-called "size-induced market failures" create a role for public policy interventions by governments throughout the region. This book focuses on the market failures encountered by enterprises in the key areas of technology and innovation, credit and finance, education and skills, and market access. Obstacles to participation in the rapidly expanding regional and global value chains are also examined. Among a variety of issues, the book explores the "missing middle" in credit facilities for enterprises that are beyond microcredit but not yet able to secure regular loans from banks. The book investigates the barriers to innovation and how best to combine internal and external research and development. It also looks at the hiring versus training options to build human capital. The various chapter authors examine national and multicountry experiences in South and East Asia, ranging from those in Pakistan to Japan.