69
On the other hand, several countries include SME export support strategies within the framework of a
broader plan to develop the SME sector. In this regard, an illustrative example is Malaysia’s SME
Master plan (2010-2020), which Malaysian authorities conceive as a “game changer” strategy to
accelerate the growth of SMEs and raise their contribution to the economy, to achieve in this way high
income nation status by 2020. In particular, the Master plan aims to increase the contribution of SMEs
to the country export from 19% (2010) to 25% (2020). For this purpose, a specific measure of the
Master plan, the Going for Export programme, targets first time exporters or existing exporters
venturing into new products or new markets. The programme provides customised and comprehensive
assistance, a step-by-step approach on how to enter new export markets, including linkage to
expertise, buyers and trade financing.
In Saudi Arabia, support to SMEs is part of a national development plan, intended to diversify the
economic base and reduce reliance on oil exports. Among the objectives of the Ninth Development
Plan (2010-2014) is strengthening the role of the private sector through various investment projects
(domestic and foreign) and increase the participation of SMEs to the national economy. To this end,
the Plan adopts a number of measures in support of SMEs, the most important of which is the removal
of administrative, organisational, technical, financial and marketing obstacles they face. Although not
explicitly directed at SME export challenges, these measures are expected to improve the participation
of SMEs also to the international activity.
4.2.2 Key institutions: the role of Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs)
Over the last decades, governments in OIC Member States have been active in promoting trade by
home businesses, trough newly established dedicated institutions or charging existing governmental
bodies with trade promotion functions. Across all countries analysed, one or more governmental
agencies exist that are intended to promote trade, often under the authority of the Ministry of Trade or
the Ministry of Industry.
As in most OECD countries (see Chapter 2), Trade Promotion Organisations (TPOs) are public
entities that function as service providers and catalyst organisations that promote trade and local
business participation’s in international markets, implementing government trade strategies, but also
favouring direct engagement by the private sector. In almost all the countries examined, in fact,
public-private partnerships are promoted within the framework of TPOs’ activities. This is the case
for instance of the Senegalese Association for Exports Promotion (ASEPEX), which was created in
2005 by the Ministry of Trade and is in charge of the implementation of Senegal’s Accelerated
Growth Strategy (SCA), a framework for public-private partnership, intended to foster
competitiveness and export performance in key strategic sectors (Box 4.1).