The fifth Policy Actions for COVID-19 Economic Recovery (PACER) Dialogue on “Bouncing back support to SMEs for COVID-19 recovery” featured phased approaches to manage and mitigate COVID-19 impacts, and build-back more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient economies. Over 130 participants including government officials and SME representatives from Southeast Asia and the People’s Republic of China participated in the Dialogue, sharing knowledge and country experiences and lessons on SMEs policies and measures taken to mitigate the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerate recovery.
The fifth PACER Dialogue aimed to:
- promote a better understanding of policy options available for governments to support SMEs in mitigating COVID-19 impacts and recover in the aftermath of the crisis;
- disseminate global best practices and lessons on how SMEs could “bounce back better” from the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- provide a platform for policy makers and development planners to share knowledge and experience and collaboratively learn from each other.
POLICY BRIEF - How SMEs Can Bounce Back from the COVID-19 Crisis
ARTICLE - Helping SMEs Bounce Back from COVID-19
Program and Learning Materials:
| Session/Activity | Presentation Material/s | Speaker(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 5th PACER Dialogue – Overview and Objectives | Ramesh Subramaniam Director General, Southeast Asia Department (SERD), Asian Development Bank (ADB) | |
| Main Presentation | Bouncing back support to SMEs for COVID-19 recovery |
Paul Vandenberg, Senior Economist, Economic Research Department, ADB |
| Panel of Expert Input/Reaction | Support for SMEs to weather the COVID-19 crisis |
Foo Ngee Kee, Co-founder and President, Sabah SMEs Association |
| Open Discussion and Questions | Ramesh Subramaniam (Moderator) | |
| Synthesis and Summary | Ramesh Subramaniam, Director General, SERD, ADB |