The countries of the Southern Mediterranean region wish to accelerate their economic development by boosting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) dynamics. In view of contributing to unlocking their potential, the European Union is funding a regional initiative “Support to an enabling business environment for MSME development & financial inclusion” (referred to as the MED MSMEs programme). By leveraging on regional potential and smart pilot actions, the programme facilitates policy dialogue on support to MSMEs including access to finance and regulation-related topics.

Countries covered: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia.

• Position MSMEs as driver of inclusive and sustainable growth in a globalised economy, through a better adaptation of selected aspects of MSME development policies and regulations to the needs of MSMEs
• Enhance the MSMEs’ regulatory and institutional environment, by promoting the administrative simplification and regulatory impact analysis as an element of SME policy making;
• Improve MSME Access to Finance through alternative financial tools and digitalisation; by working on an improved matching, per MSME needs, of selected aspects of finance policies and instruments, notably concerning alternative financial mechanisms;
• Raise awareness, among MSMEs representatives and relevant stakeholders, on financial instruments including the “EU Initiative for Financial Inclusion” and tools available through a regional platform which enhances South-South dialogue.