SINGAPORE, May 31, 2016 – Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in the development of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) with the launch of the ASEAN SME Academy, which offers courses and resources for businesses through computers, smart phones and tablets. 

“The launch of the Academy supports ASEAN’s efforts to strengthen the development of the ASEAN MSME through training materials on tap that will contribute to knowledge enhancement and uplift MSME’ capacity and capability in doing business in the Community,” said Dr Wimonkan Kosumas, Deputy Director-General of the Office of SMEs Promotion (OSMEP), Thailand, speaking at the launch. 

Academy courses and tools cover subjects such as finance/accounting, management, marketing, operation, technology and trade/logistics. The business information on the Academy helps MSMEs find networking opportunities and gain access to region-specific information to further grow and upgrade their businesses. The training courses and business information will be upgraded and expanded overtime.

“The launch of the Academy is a key component of the United States government strategy to support SME development in the region in cooperation with the private sector,” said Todd Sorenson, acting director of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Regional Mission for Asia.  “The Academy is one of the first concrete deliverables under the new US-ASEAN Connect initiative launched earlier this year by President Obama. We look forward to working with ASEAN and our business partners to expand and promote this unique resource.”

The US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) believes the ASEAN SME Academy can be a force multiplier for U.S. business efforts to support SMEs in ASEAN through programs such as the US-ASEAN Business Alliance for Competitive SMEs. The academy is a one-stop, online resource for learning about regional and international markets, latest technologies, and for access to service providers and more financing opportunities, and its online presence will substantially expand the reach of US-ABC programs to support SMEs,” said Ambassador Michael W. Michalak, US-ABC Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, in his opening remarks. “Courses are available for start-up businesses, as well as for more developed enterprises,” he added.

The Academy was launched in Singapore during the 6th Meeting of the ASEAN SME Advisory Board.  Specifically mentioned in the “ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025,” it is an important tool to promote entrepreneurship and human capital development and support the creation of a more conducive environment for SME growth.  

The Academy is supported by ASEAN and the US-ASEAN Business Alliance for Competitive SMEs. The Business Alliance is a three-year public-private partnership launched in March 2014 between USAID through the ASEAN Connectivity through Trade and Investment project and the US-ASEAN Business Council.

Baker & McKenzie, Facebook, Google, MasterCard, Microsoft, PayPal, HP, Procter & Gamble and International Labour Organization contributed course materials for the Academy. More are expected from other partners in the near future.

For more information about the ASEAN SME Academy, contact Mr Lucky Herviana, ASEAN Secretariat (lucky.herviana@asean.org), Ms. Rebecca Acuña (racuna@usaid.gov) at USAID, or Mr. Anthony Nelson (anelson@usasean.org) at the US-ASEAN Business Council.