Global Economic Uncertainty: Unlocking SME Finance for Investment and Productivity

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While economies have demonstrated resilience over the past several years, economic uncertainty is weighing on the small businesses which are driving our economies. The cost of finance for SMEs remains high, despite recent decreases in SME interest rates, and banks continue to apply stringent lending terms and conditions to mitigate risk.  

Read the full report here that discusses questions such as:  how ongoing economic and policy uncertainty is affecting SME financing and investment decisions; what policy approaches and market-based solutions can help SMEs invest in productivity-enhancing assets; and, how we can strengthen uptake of digital solutions to enhance access to finance and boost SME productivity.

Today in Global Small Business: The New Year (2025) Edition

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

• Boost your productivity in 2025.
• Poise your global business for growth in 2025 by attending Laurel Delaney's Global Trade Trends Report 2025 wegginar® on 1/8/25 (free of charge and learn what's important as you navigate the new global landscape).
• Quote of the week: “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." – Thomas Jefferson 
• Ways to make 2025 a year of positive change.
• Why you don't need to reinvent yourself in the new year (for young creatives).
• Make 2025 the year you go BIG!

Global Small Businesses Are Essential to American Supply Chains

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Global small businesses are essential to American supply chains, but they lag in productivity and technology adoption. If government and industry can help these smaller supply chain firms upgrade their technology, it would make supply chains significantly more resilient by enabling data-sharing and collaboration. 

Read more about how global small businesses play a big role in supply-chain resilience.