How can small and medium enterprises help Arab economies move from recovery and economic transition towards sustainable growth? Ministers from across the region explored this question during a high-level ministerial panel at the Fourth Arab SMEs Summit in Baghdad.
Under the theme “From recovery to growth: towards a promising future for SME and private-sector development in the Arab region”, the discussion focused on the policies and institutional reforms needed to strengthen SMEs and the private sector as drivers of job creation, investment, innovation and economic resilience.
The dialogue brought together ministerial perspectives from Djibouti, Iraq, the Sudan and the Syrian Arab Republic, reflecting different economic contexts and development priorities across the region.
Discussions looked at how Governments can create enabling conditions for SMEs to grow, particularly in economies navigating conflict, fragility, recovery or major economic transitions.
Participants also examined the role of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, e-government, infrastructure and innovation in strengthening competitiveness and enabling SMEs to benefit from emerging economic opportunities. Access to finance, markets, skills and technology emerged as key areas for enabling businesses to become stronger drivers of productivity and growth.
The session concluded by looking ahead to the next phase of SME and private-sector development, including successful approaches that could be adapted across different Arab contexts and opportunities to deepen regional cooperation and knowledge exchange.
