Overview
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are integral to the economic development and growth of ASEAN Member States. Allowing for different definitions, there are 70 million MSMEs in ASEAN, accounting for between 97.2% – 99.9% of total establishments in ASEAN Member States. Where data is available, the micro enterprises often constitute the largest share of enterprises. Regionally, the MSMEs contribute 85% to employment, 44.8% to GDP and 18% to national exports.
These figures indicate that MSMEs play important roles to economic and social development, contributing to value-added activities, innovation and inclusive growth through the creation of job opportunities and their widespread presence in both urban and rural areas. MSMEs are thus the backbone of ASEAN and are fundamental towards achieving long-run and sustainable economic growth and in narrowing the development gap.
Major Sectoral Bodies
In ASEAN, cooperation on SME development began in 1995, when fostering SME development became one of the priority areas in respect of policy focus and resources. The ASEAN SME Agencies Working Group (SMEWG), which comprised representatives from SME Agencies in AMS, was formed to formulate policies, programmes and activities on SME development.
In January 2016, the ASEAN SMEWG was renamed to the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME) to better reflect the expanded scope of work to cover micro enterprises. The ACCSMME is composed of representatives from MSME development agencies of all ASEAN Member States. The ACCMSME shall work towards the objective of strengthening MSMEs’ participation in ASEAN’s integration and in deepening and broadening their contribution to ASEAN’s economic growth.
The ACCMSME meets twice a year and reports to the Senior Economic Officials Meeting (SEOM) under the mandate of the ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM). ACCMSME chairmanship rotates annually among the AMS. The current chair of ACCMSME is:
Ms. Trinh Thi Huong
Deputy Director General
Agency of Private Enterprise and Cooperatives Development
Ministry of Finance
Viet Nam
ASEAN MSME Advisory Board (AMAB)
The ASEAN MSME Advisory Board (AMAB) serves as an engagement platform between the public and private sectors in the area of MSME development. Comprising MSME agency and private sector representatives nominated by the ACCMSME, AMAB provides strategic policy inputs to the Ministers and guidance on high-priority (i.e., urgent and high-importance policy-level) matters to the ACCMSME. It is co-chaired by the current Chair of ACCMSME and the private sector representative of the AMS holding the ASEAN Chair of the current year.
as of 10 November 2025
ASEAN MSME ADVISORY BOARD (AMAB)
| No. | ASEAN Member States | MSME Agency Representatives | Private Sector Representatives |
| 1 | Brunei Darussalam | Ms. Norlela Suhailee Director Enterprise Development (DARe) Brunei Economic Development Board (BEDB) | Ms. Noorhafizah Rashid Founder of Big BWN Project |
| 2 | Cambodia | H.E. Peou Vanda Director General of General Department of SMEs and Handicraft Ministry of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation (MISTI) | Mr. Sim Chankiriroth Board Member of Young Entrepreneurs Association of Cambodia (YEAC) Founder & CEO of BanhJi |
| 3 | Indonesia | Mr. Bastian Head of Performance Management and Cooperation Bureau Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MoMSMEs) | Mr. Ronald Walla Head of Micro, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises The Employers’ Association of Indonesia (APINDO) |
| 4 | Lao PDR | Ms. Manivone Vongxay Director General Department of MSME Promotion (DOSMEP) Ministry of Industry and Commerce | Mr. Viboon Sithimolada Board Director of Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry |
| 5 | Malaysia | Mr. Rizal Nainy Chief Executive Officer SME Corporation Malaysia | Ir. Ter Leong Leng Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) Council Member & Chairman, FMM SMI, Youth & Entrepreneurship Committee (SYEC) Datuk William Ng National President of Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA) |
| 6 | Myanmar | Mr. Thein Swe Director-General Directorate of Industrial Supervision and Inspection Ministry of Industry | Mr. Aye Win President Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry |
| 7 | Philippines | Ms. Emma C. Asusano Director Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprise Development Department of Trade and Industry Philippines | Ms. Melanie C. Ng Visayas representative of the MSME Development (MSMED) Council |
| 8 | Singapore | Mr. Kuhan Harichandra Director of Corporate Planning and Principal Economist Enterprise Singapore | Mr. Ang Yuit President Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) |
| 9 | Thailand | Mr. Wittawat Lamsam Assistant Director General Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP) | Dr. Nimnual Piewthong-ngam Chairperson of SME Committee Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce in Thailand |
| 10 | Viet Nam | Ms. Trinh Thi Huong Deputy Director General Agency of Private Enterprise and Cooperatives Development Ministry of Finance | Ms. Pham Thi Ngoc Thuy Co-Founder and CEO of Vietnam Economic Forum Co., Ltd. (ViEF), Office for the Private Sector Development Committee under the Advisory Council to the Prime Minister on Administrative Procedures Reform |
Key Priority Areas - Strategic Action Plan on SME Development 2026-2030
Strategic Action Plan on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development 2026 – 2030:
Regional MSME development is guided by the Strategic Action Plan on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development 2026–2030 (SAP MSMED 2030). The Plan builds on the achievements of SAP SMED 2016–2025 and responds to emerging megatrends such as digital transformation, sustainability imperatives, and shifting global value chains
The SAP MSMED 2030, in alignment with the priorities set by the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2030 sets out three overarching objectives:
- Advancing an inclusive, innovative, and competitive business environment to strengthen MSMEs’ integration into regional and global value chains.
- Accelerating digital and technology transformation and nurturing an enabling environment for MSMEs to participate in the digital economy.
- Engendering awareness and strengthening capacities of ASEAN businesses and policymakers towards green transition.
These objectives are supported by eleven strategic measures that aim to:
- Enhance productivity and innovation, including greater participation in high-impact industries.
- Strengthen entrepreneurship and partnerships with knowledge communities.
- Expand MSMEs’ access to traditional and alternative finance.
- Facilitate MSMEs’ participation in regional and global markets and value chains.
- Build MSMEs’ resilience and competitiveness through skilling and upskilling.
- Strengthen policy coherence and evidence-based decision making.
- Advance the establishment of a regionally comparable and recognised Unique Business Identification Number (UBIN).
- Build capacities for MSMEs to engage effectively in the digital economy.
- Support micro businesses in value-adding to exports through digitalisation.
- Enhance MSMEs’ capacities in mainstreaming sustainable business practices.
- Provide incentives and support mechanisms for MSMEs’ transition to green practices.
The ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME) oversees the implementation of the SAP MSMED 2030, working closely with relevant ASEAN sectoral bodies, the private sector, and development partners. Given the cross-cutting nature of MSME development, cooperation and consultations with a wide range of stakeholders will remain central to ensuring that MSMEs continue to drive ASEAN’s growth, resilience, and integration into the global economy.
Key Initiatives
- MSME Definitions in ASEAN
- ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025
- ASEAN Work Programme on Starting a Business
- Mid-Term Review of the ASEAN Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025
- SAP SMED 2025: 2020 KPI Monitoring Report
- Implementation Roadmap to Establish Regionally Comparable and Recognised Unique Business Identification Numbers (UBIN) in ASEAN
- Plan of Action for the Promotion of Inclusive Business in ASEAN (2023-2027)
- Launch – Digital Readiness Assessment Tool for MSMEs: Instagram, Facebook, X / Twitter, LinkedIn
- Launch – ASEAN Plus Three Startup Web Portal: Facebook, X / Twitter, LinkedIn
- ASEAN advances MSME engagement in circular economy
- Launch – ASEAN Access LEARN: ASEAN launches new initiative to boost cross-border trade for MSMEs
- Launch – ASEAN Access MATCH: ASEAN’s flagship SME information and business matching portal
- Fourth IB Summit: ASEAN focuses to build back better with inclusive business
- ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand to enhance the role of MSME in prepared food trade
- ASEAN publishes MSMEs digitalisation success stories
- ASPI 2018: New report says Southeast Asia makes headway in SME development
- ASEAN MSMEs Go Global: 50 Inspiring MSME Stories
- ASEAN, Korea strengthen public private sectoral cooperation for MSME development
- ASEAN to enhance economic opportunities for women
- ASEAN to develop MSME as backbone of economy
- ASEAN to support small enterprises through equity crowd funding
- ASEAN women entrepreneurs to harness technology and innovation for growth
- FJCCIA Dialogue: ASEAN’s economic integration commands strong interest among Japanese investors
- ASEAN SME Academy Training of Trainers: ASEAN promotes business opportunities for entrepreneurs
- ASEAN SME Academy: ASEAN makes courses and business information easy to be accessed by SME
- ASEAN Launches Directory of Outstanding SMEs 2015
- Enhancing the Resilience of MSMEs to Crises and Disasters: Regional Guidelines for ASEAN Governments
- Policy Guidelines for Strengthening Gender Equality in Agriculture Entrepreneurship in ASEAN Countries
- Policymakers Toolkit Strengthening Women’s Entrepreneurship in National Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Policies and Action Plans
- Policy Guideline on Digitalisation of ASEAN Micro Enterprises
- Facilitating the Green Transition for ASEAN SMEs – A toolkit for policymakers
- ASEAN Guidelines on Fostering a Vibrant Ecosystem for Startups Across Southeast Asia
- ASEAN Institutional Framework on Access to Finance for MSME
- ASEAN Regional Principles for Good Business Registration Practices
- Common Curriculum for Entrepreneurship in ASEAN
- ASEAN Inclusive Business Framework
- Model Framework for an Inclusive Business Accreditation System in ASEAN
- Guidelines for the Promotion of Inclusive Business in ASEAN: Regional
- ASEAN SME Policy Index (ASPI) 2018: Report, Brochure
- ASEAN SME Policy Index (ASPI) 2024: Report, Brochure
- Developing an ASEAN Benchmark for SME Credit Rating Methodology
- Strengthening Women’s Entrepreneurship in ASEAN Towards increasing women’s participation in economic activity
- Strengthening Women’s Entrepreneurship in Agriculture in ASEAN Countries
- Enterprise Policy Responses to COVID-19 in ASEAN
- ASEAN SMEs’ Integration in GVCs: Opportunities and Challenges in Response to Covid-19
- Strengthening Evidence-based MSME Policymaking in ASEAN: Building up more robust, timely, comparable and accessible business statistics
- Alternative Financing Instruments for ASEAN SMEs
- Formalisation of Micro Enterprises in ASEAN
- Facilitating Equity Crowdfunding in the ASEAN Region
- Improvement Rural Living Condition Through One Village One Product (OVOP) Movement
- Study on MSMEs Participation in the Digital Economy in ASEAN
- Digitalisation of MSMEs in ASEAN and Russia – Trends and Opportunities
- Strengthening of Business SMES and Technology Business Incubators
- Advancing Enabling Policy Environments for Inclusive Business in ASEAN
- Outcome Report of ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum
- MSME Success Stories
- Case Studies to Develop ASEAN Benchmarks and Baselines for SMEs within ASEAN in Three Identified ASEAN Priority Sectors
- Directory of Outstanding ASEAN SMEs 2011
- Directory of Innovative SMEs in ASEAN 2012
- Directory of Outstanding ASEAN SMEs 2015
- Future of ASEAN 50 Success Stories of Digitalisation of ASEAN MSMEs
- Future of ASEAN 50 Success Stories of Internationalization of ASEAN MSMEs
- ASEAN Inclusive Business Awards: Catalogue of the Awardees 2020-2023
- Go Digital ASEAN Impact Report
- Go Digital ASEAN 2 Impact Report
ASEAN platforms
The ASEAN Access was launched in June 2021 as a rebranding of the former ASEAN SME Service Centre. With the tagline “Your Business Information Gateway to ASEAN and Beyond”, ASEAN Access facilitates SMEs’ participation in international trade through the provision of market and trade information, capacity building, linking SMEs to enablers and service providers, matching business to business, and promoting dialogue between the public and private sectors.
The ASEAN Access is overseen by the Task Force on ASEAN Access, led by the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion, Thailand (OSMEP), and driven by more than 40 ASEAN Access Network Partners from the public and private sectors.
- ASEAN Access Promotional Materials
- ASEAN Access Network Partners
Launched in 2016, the ASEAN SME Academy facilitates MSMEs’ growth by providing online training tools and resources designed for self-learning. The platform offers over 100 courses in multiple languages on finance and accounting, human resources, management, marketing, operations, technology, trade and logistics, and business continuity and resiliency.
The ASEAN SME Academy is managed by the Bureau of Small and Medium Enterprises, Department of Trade and Industry, Philippines (DTI-BSMED), and the Philippine Trade Training Center – Global MSME Academy (PTTC-GMEA) on behalf of ACCMSME. Fortune 500 companies, regional enterprises, global development organisations and local facilitators contribute to content enrichment, promotion and supporting learning activities.
ASEAN SME Academy Guidelines for Content Contribution
ASEAN SME Academy Promotional Materials for SMEs
Digital Readiness Assessment Tool for MSMEs
The online tool is designed to help MSMEs identify gaps in digital adoption, enhance digital skills and explore new opportunities in ASEAN’s digital economy. Users will answer a set of questions for self-assessment which measures their business’ state of digitalisation in four (4) dimensions: technology, people, product and process.
ASEAN IP Register
The ASEAN IP Register lets businesses search patents, trademarks, and designs from all ten ASEAN countries in one place. It is a single online portal with the latest data maintained by WIPO, making it easy to find and check IP information across the region without visiting multiple national databases.
ASEAN Tariff Finder
The ASEAN Tariff Finder is a free, online platform that provides traders with crucial information on customs duties, taxes, and rules of origin for trade within ASEAN and with over 160 other countries. It’s designed to help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, maximize the benefits of free trade agreements (FTAs) by offering consolidated and accurate trade data in a single portal. By entering a product and destination, users can quickly access comprehensive details needed for import and export activities.
- ASEAN Plus Three Startup Program – startup, innovation, sustainable development
- Go Digital ASEAN – digitalisation, inclusivity and resilience
- IDEAS Project – digitalisation and e-commerce, market access, women economic empowerment
