The International MSME Day was celebrated in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on June 24, 2024, hosted by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the World Bank. This significant event, which recognizes the contributions and challenges of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) globally, brought together over 200 participants from the 10 ASEAN member countries.

Among the speakers was Mr. Madhurjya K. Dutta, Director of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department at Mekong Institute. Mr. Dutta shared his perspective on “Building Resilience for MSMEs in a Changing Global Landscape – Supply Chain Disruption on MSMEs.” He provided insights into how global trends and economic developments impact supply chains in the Mekong region. Mr. Dutta also suggested coping mechanisms, such as government policies and support schemes, to mitigate negative impacts and strengthen the resilience of MSMEs.

The United Nations General Assembly designated June 27th as the International Day for MSMEs to recognize the crucial role of MSMEs in sustainable development and advocate for policies that support their growth (Source: https://unctad.org/)