Quality management systems offer companies a practical approach to organizing their productive processes to ensure ongoing adherence to these standards, as well as fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

This report develops a common monitoring system based on a common set of indicators, data collection procedures, and an internet-based application to capture and report results.

This presentation explores the economic, institutional and technological contexts in which micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are called upon to operate and the fiscal treatment issues public authorities should take into account. It also focuses on the basic features of the tax systems...

This paper outlines some of the issues that affect small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in three areas: regulation, procurement, and dispute resolution. The work presented herein is part of the Bank's most recent efforts to develop new approaches and instruments to strengthen its role as a...

Today over 80 percent of the businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean have 10 employees or less and, depending on the country, they provide between 30 and 80 percent of employment. Yet, in spite of this new empowering view of microenterprises--as a means for the poor to earn their...

The Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC), MIF and the Latin American Federation of Banks (FELABAN) conducted an initial survey in December 2004 of 111 Latin American financial institutions, the purpose of which was to identify the propensity of Latin American and Caribbean banks to...

This report evaluates the Program for the Development of Industrial Districts in Brazil, launched in 2003 with funding from the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF). The program played an important role in helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) improve productive factors and governance in...

This presentation discusses the impact of the Program for the Development of the Industrial Districts in Brazil. It includes the program background, an output and outcomes comparison, the key findings of the impact evaluation, and a series of lessons and recommendations. The presentation was...

As one of its goals, the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) aims to improve the management and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in different sectors in Latin America and the Caribbean. To that end, MIF supports activities that promote the creation and strengthening of...

This presentation discusses the impact of the Program for the Support of the Software Sector in Uruguay. It includes a brief summary of the project, the program outputs and outcomes, the key findings of the impact evaluation, and lessons and recommendations. It was presented at the Impact...