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Mom-and-pop stores, neighborhood mini-markets, and small bars and restaurants have been among the most economically affected by the pandemic. These and other small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 99 percent of all businesses and 67 percent of employment across Latin America and the Caribbean. However, they account for less than a third of GDP. Unlocking the potential of small businesses will be critical to the region’s economic reactivation and long-term prosperity.

What concrete policies can help small businesses overcome COVID-19 related and broader growth challenges? In what ways can public-private sector partnerships accelerate SME recovery, especially for those involved in traditional trade? With small businesses in mind, how can the region proactively rebuild in a more inclusive and resilient way?

Join the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center on Wednesday, February 2, from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. (ET), for a virtual conversation on the role and opportunities for small businesses in regional recovery. The event will kick off #ProactiveLAC, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s new high-level event series focusing on #Prosperity and #Reactivation in LAC.

This event will be held in SPANISH with simultaneous translation to English.

Speakers

H.E. Raquel Peña
Vice President
Dominican Republic

Henrique Braun
President
Coca-Cola Latin America

Carla Muirragui
Vice Minister of Production and Industries, Ministry of Production, Foreign Trade, Investments and Fisheries
Republic of Ecuador

Dr. Ana Barbara Mungaray
Head of the Productive Development Unit, Secretariat of the Economy
United Mexican States

Sandra Acero
Director for MSMEs, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Republic of Colombia

Juan Carlos Elorza
Director of Analysis and Technical Evaluation for the Private Sector
Development Bank for Latin America (CAF)

On Twitter? Follow the conversation with @ACLatAm using #ProactiveLAC