Empowering Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in OACPS countries

The Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) organized a virtual event in the context of the 2021 World Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day. The event fostered public-private sector dialogue, collaboration and exchange of best practices with a view on enabling the OACPS countries to come out stronger from the current crisis. Deputy Director of the FAO Investment Centre, John Preissing, took part in the event.

Preissing explained the role of the FAO Investment Center in scaling up investments for sustainable agrifood systems transformation. He highlighted in particular the strong emphasis the Investment Center puts on small business owners and on the importance of an enabling environment and adequate policy framework.

 “Over 6 billion US Dollars have been spent on successful investment projects across the globe over the last year, in partnership with the World Bank, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and regional development banks,” he said.

OACPS Members have more than 50 million registered Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). With a view of assisting OACPS MSMEs to successfully navigate through the pandemic, the OACPS and the European Union have put in place a series of initiatives under the Joint Private Sector Development Strategy.