Key Lessons from Donor Committee Conference on Business Development Services for Small Enterprises

The Conference gave impetus to the changing paradigm for assistance to small enterprises: away from the direct provision of business development services by governments and donor agencies toward the development of markets for BDS appropriate to the needs of small enterprises. By facilitating the provision of services by private providers and stimulating the demand for services by small enterprise clients, donors and governments can increase the outreach, sustainability and cost-effectiveness of these services and increase their impact on small enterprise competitiveness.