From Local to Global: Connecting SMEs to Markets

As global trade, digital commerce, and supply chains reshape how businesses grow, access to finance alone is no longer enough. The most successful SMEs are increasingly those connected to markets, customers, value chains, technology, and business networks that help them become more productive and competitive. This roundtable will bring together leaders from financial institutions, corporates, digital platforms, and development organizations to explore how trade ecosystems, cross-border commerce, and supply chains can help SMEs move from local players to regional and global competitors. The discussion will examine how market access, digital platforms, trade and supply chain finance, and ecosystem partnerships can make SMEs more visible, connected, and investable, enabling them to scale faster, increase productivity, create quality jobs, and contribute more meaningfully to economic growth.