SME Reviews and Benchmarking
Business performance reviews
Competitiveness benchmarking
Constraints & opportunities
Action plans and growth roadmaps
Strengthening SME Competitiveness
We support SMEs to improve productivity, strengthen management capability and compete effectively in international markets. Our approach combines strategy workshops, hands-on coaching and targeted support to help firms innovate, scale and export successfully.
What We Strengthen
We strengthen the core capabilities SMEs need to compete, grow and export successfully. Our work focuses on improving strategy, operations, quality and market access so that firms can increase productivity, win customers and scale sustainably.
Strategy and Management Development
Strategic planning & market focus
Value proposition & positioning
Leadership & decision-making
Scaling & growth strategies
Product / Service Development
Alignment with market requirements
Quality & international standards
Certification readiness
Cost competitiveness & pricing
Market Access and Sales Capability
Route-to-market strategies
Buyer targeting & segmentation
Sales & negotiation
Export readiness & acceleration
SME programme design
BSO capacity building
SME competitiveness
Export training
Selected Programme Experience
Examples of BSO capacity-building programmes delivered, strengthening institutions and SME export support.
Ukraine
BSO Export Capacity Building
Strengthening BSOs' SME Export Support
Strengthened the capacity of 15 Ukrainian industry associations to support SME exports to the EU through diagnostics, internationalisation roadmaps and advisor training.
Impact
- Delivered capacity building to 15 BSOs
- Developed internationalisation strategies
- 19 international partnerships created
Jordan
Cross-Border E-Commerce Support
Institutional Capacity Building for Digital Trade
Strengthened Jordan’s export support ecosystem for digital trade by working with six national institutions including chambers and export promotion agencies.
Impact
- Trained advisers on international e-commerce
- Developed new SME support services
- Delivered first Cross-Border E-Commerce Day
Uganda
International B2B Matchmaking
Export Promotion Capability and B2B Systems
Built the capability of Ugandan BSOs to design and run international B2B matchmaking programmes linking SMEs with European buyers.
Impact
- Trained BSOs to organise international B2B events
- Developed operating manual to guide advisers
- Matchmaking meetings delivered by BSOs
Vietnam
Strengthening Trade Promotion Institutions
Developing Strategy and Building Capacity
Advised Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and VIETRADE on SME internationalisation and export promotion.
Impact
- Strengthened trade promotion capability
- Developed sector export strategies
- New international food brand for Vietnam
Georgia
SME Linkages Programme – Georgia
Supplier Development & BSO Delivery Capability
Designed and piloted a programme linking Georgian SMEs with international hotel and restaurant groups while strengthening capacity of Enterprise Georgia and local consultants.
Impact
- Developed BSO adviser skills and knowledge
- Ran matchmaking event with corporate buyers
- Developed model for future programmes
Moldova
Supply Chain Linkages Programme - OECD
Strengthening SME–retailer value chain linkages
Developed practical programme to strengthen the competitiveness of Moldovan food processing SMEs and support their integration into domestic and international retail supply chains.
Impact
- Mapped retailer needs & SME capability gaps
- Designed supplier development programme
- Strengthened SME-retailer linkages
Typical Outcomes
• Improved SME competitiveness • Clear growth strategies • Better market focus • Improved product-market fit •
• Enhanced management capability • Increased sales • More sustainable and scalable businesses •
