SELA urges to implement Public Policy Index for MSMEs launched today in Uruguay

The Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), CAF-development bank of Latin America, and the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM) of Uruguay launched on Monday the second edition of the Public Policy Index for MSMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean (IPPALC).

During the opening session, held at the headquarters of CAF-development bank of Latin America in Montevideo, the following speakers took the floor: Walter Verri, Acting Minister, Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (MIEM) of Uruguay; José Antonio Ardavín, Head of the Division for Latin America and the Caribbean, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD); Jorge Srur, Southern Regional Manager, CAF-Development Bank of Latin America; and Ambassador Clarems Endara, Permanent Secretary of SELA.

The IPPALC represents a valuable analytical tool to optimise public action for the benefit of small enterprises, through the construction of rigorous diagnostics, evaluations and policy recommendations based on evidence and international best practices.

In his speech, the Permanent Secretary of SELA underscored that this new edition of the IPPALC aims not only to evaluate the progress made with respect to the diagnosis in the pilot project, but also to offer a renewed framework for analysis, adapted to the new

times. It will also serve as a tool to deepen integration by supporting the work agendas of subregional integration mechanisms.

“We are confident that this second edition of the Public Policy Index will successfully achieve all the goals set, and we reiterate our firm commitment to accompany the participating countries in their efforts to overcome the challenges they face,” Ambassador Endara stressed.

The Public Policy Index for MSMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean (IPPALC) is a tool built through a process of consultation among public, private and international actors, and covers key aspects for business development. In 2017, and based on the initiative of Uruguay, the first edition was carried out with the support of OECD, CAF and SELA. The participating countries were Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. In this second edition, the participating countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

“I take this opportunity to invite all countries in the region to implement this tool as part of their strategies to support MSMEs and the search for sustainable economic growth. From the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System, we will continue working to find formulas that contribute to the achievement of these objectives,” Ambassador Clarems Endara noted.