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Design & Delivery of SME Policies and Programmes

 

We support governments and donors to design and implement SME and export programmes that work, aligning policy, institutions and delivery mechanisms to drive productivity, competitiveness and growth.

 

We have designed and delivered SME and export programmes across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, supporting governments, donors and business support organisations.

Turning Policy into Scalable, Results-Driven Programmes

We recognise that effective SME development requires a coordinated policy approach, not isolated interventions, that address SME performance, market access, skills, finance and ecosystem constraints.


We translate policy into practical delivery through integrated policy and programme frameworks where interventions reinforce each other, delivering SME growth and sustainable economic outcomes.

Our Approach

01

SME & Sector Policy Development

Development of SME, sector and competitiveness strategies based on evidence, stakeholder consultations and market analysis.

02

Delivery Systems & Business Ecosystem

Strengthening institutional frameworks, service delivery and system-level enablers, including policy, governance and digital platforms.

03

Programme Design & Implementation

Design and delivery of integrated programmes combining diagnostics, firm-level support and market access.

04

Performance, Monitoring & Impact

Design of frameworks, KPIs and monitoring systems to track results, measure impact and inform programme improvement.

Case Study

SME Development Roadmap (Bahrain)

Scope & Diagnostics

  • Assessed SME performance and barriers to growth
  • Conducted SME segmentation to identify priorities for support

Policy & Programme Design

  • Revised SME definition and SME segmentation framework
  • Designed integrated policy and programme framework

Key Interventions

  • Strengthening skills, digitalisation and access to finance
  • Supporting market access: procurement and exports

Implementation & Results

  • Established KPIs, delivery mechanisms and responsibilities
  • Presented to Ministers and SME Development Council

Our Programme Delivery Model

We design and implement integrated programme architectures that combine diagnostics, firm-level support and market access interventions. Our approach is practical and grounded in international best practice, from research and design through to delivery and impact measurement, ensuring policies translate into measurable results.

 

Diagnostics & Evidence Base

  • Export readiness assessments & baselines
  • Ecosystem and value-chain mapping
  • Sector and market prioritisation
  • Evidence-led programme logic

    • Programme Design & Development

  • Cohort segmentation by maturity
  • Partner and delivery model design
  • Implementation roadmap
  • KPI and results framework alignment

    • Programme Delivery & Market Access

  • Blended training & coaching
  • Technical assistance for priority needs
  • B2B market linkages & buyer engagement
  • Trade missions and trade-show readiness

    • Results Measurment, Learning & Scale

  • Performance dashboards & reporting
  • Learning loops and optimisation
  • Institutional embedding via local partners/BSOs
  • Replication and national roll-out planning
    • Typical Programme Outcomes

    Our programmes are designed not only to increase productivity, but to strengthen resilience, improve resource allocation and support inclusive, sustainable growth.

    Typical results delivered include:

    • Increased SME competitiveness and productivity
    • Stronger international market access and export growth
    • Improved sales and firm-level performance
    • Enhanced BSO capacity and service delivery
    • Greater digital adoption and e-commerce uptake
    • More effective and scalable SME support systems

    Selected Programme Experience

    🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi

    SME Export Matching Programme

    Export Development / B2B / Matching

    • Designed export readiness and segmentation model
    • Delivered export readiness and targeted B2B matchmaking
    • Generated exports through trade mission & buyer engagement
    AED 343m+ exports generated
    🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi

    SME Champions Programme

    Supplier Development & Corporate Linkage Programme

    • Designed SME upgrading model aligned with buyer requirements
    • Built SME capability to meet standards and win contracts
    • Delivered targeted B2B matchmaking and helped facilitate deals
    AED 70m+ SME contracts secured
    🏴 Scotland

    Technology Sector Export Plan

    Plan for Scottish Government co-produced with stakeholders

    • Identified technology sector strengths and export potential
    • Prioritised key markets, based on demand & competitive position
    • Developed programme to support technology exporters
    Sector export plan to substantially increase tech exports
    🇺🇦 Ukraine

    BSO Capacity Building (EU4Business / GIZ)

    15 Ukrainian BSOs & Associations Supported

    • Internationalisation roadmaps developed for each BSO
    • Built capability of advisors to provide export support services
    • Enabled partnerships and export linkages with EU markets
    19 MoUs for BSOs & 50+ SME export connections for SMEs
    🇯🇴 Jordan

    International E-Commerce Capacity Building

    Export Systems / Digital Trade

    • Mapped ecosystem and designed e-commerce export model
    • Built BSO capability to deliver digital export services
    • Supported SMEs to enter cross-border online markets
    E-commerce embedded within SME export support
    🇻🇳 Vietnam

    Formulation of EU ARISE+ Programme

    Policy and Programme Design

    • Analysed export competitiveness and priority sectors
    • Identified high-potential value chains and market access barriers
    • Designed programme architecture and results framework
    Programme formulated to scale exports to the EU
    🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi

    SME Export Matching Programme

    Export Development / B2B / Matching

    • Designed export readiness and segmentation model
    • Delivered export readiness and targeted B2B matchmaking
    • Generated exports through trade mission & buyer engagement
    AED 343m+ exports generated
    🇦🇪 Abu Dhabi

    SME Champions Programme

    Supplier Development & Corporate Linkage Programme

    • Designed SME upgrading model aligned with buyer requirements
    • Built SME capability to meet standards and win contracts
    • Delivered targeted B2B matchmaking and helped facilitate deals
    AED 70m+ SME contracts secured
    🏴 Scotland

    Technology Sector Export Plan

    Plan for Scottish Government co-produced with stakeholders

    • Identified technology sector strengths and export potential
    • Prioritised key markets, based on demand & competitive position
    • Developed programme to support technology exporters
    Sector export plan to substantially increase tech exports
    🇺🇦 Ukraine

    BSO Capacity Building (EU4Business / GIZ)

    15 Ukrainian BSOs & Associations Supported

    • Internationalisation roadmaps developed for each BSO
    • Built capability of advisors to provide export support services
    • Enabled partnerships and export linkages with EU markets
    19 MoUs for BSOs & 50+ SME export connections for SMEs
    🇯🇴 Jordan

    International E-Commerce Capacity Building

    Export Systems / Digital Trade

    • Mapped ecosystem and designed e-commerce export model
    • Built BSO capability to deliver digital export services
    • Supported SMEs to enter cross-border online markets
    E-commerce embedded within SME export support
    🇻🇳 Vietnam

    Formulation of EU ARISE+ Programme

    Policy and Programme Design

    • Analysed export competitiveness and priority sectors
    • Identified high-potential value chains and market access barriers
    • Designed programme architecture and results framework
    Programme formulated to scale exports to the EU