Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) Policy Index

The SME Policy Index is a benchmarking tool designed to assess SME policy frameworks in emerging economies and monitor progress in policy implementation over time. The Index has been developed in 2006 by the OECD in partnership with the European Commission, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and the European Training Foundation (ETF).

Since then, the tool has been applied to several regions in the European Neighbourhood (Western Balkans in 2006, 2009 and 2012, including Turkey for the first time; Eastern Partnership Countries in 2012 and 2016 and the Middle East and North Africa in 2008 and 2013). For these regions, the assessment framework is structured around the ten principles of the Small Business Act for Europe (SBA), providing a wide-range of pro-enterprise measures to guide the design and implementation of SME policies based on good practices promoted by the EU and the OECD. For ASEAN, the OECD has applied the tool in co-operation with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, using the ASEAN Policy Blueprint for SME Development as underlying framework.

The SME Policy Index identifies strengths and weaknesses in policy design and implementation, allows for comparison across countries and measures convergence towards good practices and relevant policy standards. It supports governments in setting targets for SME policy development and helps to identify strategic priorities for improving business environment. It engages governments in policy dialogue and exchange of good practices within the region and with OECD members.

The Index assesses the following policy dimensions: