Enabling MSMEs to Grow in the Global Economy by Operating Seamlessly Across the Omni-Channel Environment

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are a driving force of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region, generating 7 out of 10 jobs and contributing up to 40% of gross domestic product in emerging markets. However, as the global economy evolves into a more interconnected and digital landscape, the survival and growth of MSMEs hinge on their ability to embrace hybrid business models that blend physical operations with digital innovation. This Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) project aimed to strengthen policymakers’ ability to 1) facilitate “integrative” policies that enable MSMEs to participate in physical and digital channels; 2) develop “balanced” policies that do not inadvertently favor one channel over another; and 3) collect purpose-driven data (quantitative information that reflects a company’s business operations, e.g., customer engagement) from originating platforms (physical or digital) to inform policy decisions.