What is SCMC

Over past years, SMEs have had to adapt to changes in the global business environment, such as financial crises, supply chain disruptions, and pandemics. In the coming decade, trends like climate change, digitalization, and decarbonization are expected to drive changes in marketplaces, business models, technologies, or policies. Looking to the future of the global economy, SMEs need to tackle these ensuing challenges. However, the inherent disadvantages of SMEs make it difficult for them to manage external shocks and gain access to resources, including information, knowledge, expertise, networks, technical support, or funding.

Faced with on-going and potential challenges or changes, which are expected to happen more frequently, MSMEs in the APEC region need a platform to exchange information, experiences and practices so as to deal with a variety of economic crises. To enhance APEC SME crisis management abilities, the APEC SME Crisis Management Center aims to assist SMEs in identifying crisis in an earliest manner, overcoming the impacts of global economic challenges, and offering suggestions for response measures.

To support the realization of the priorities of the SMEWG Strategic Plan 2025-2028, the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040, and the Aotearoa Plan of Action as well as the Bangkok Goals on Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, the center organizes a team of experts from APEC economies to monitor global economic trends' impacts on SMEs and provide recommendations. The targets for monitoring include the digital economy, inclusivity, sustainability, and global supply chain opportunities.

Additionally, the center will also organize seminars, forums, or workshops to provide capacity-building programs for APEC economies, covering topics like digital innovation, sustainability practices, and new globalization trends​.