This report encourages APEC leaders to increase financing alternatives for SMMEs by exploring innovations within the SMME financing landscape, and reviewing the regulatory framework and environment required to enable these new models to be introduced successfully. APEC governments should provide an enabling environment that can support a diverse range of financial institutions and products. Facilitating the entry of new, specialized market participants will broaden the range of financing options for SMMEs at their different life cycles.

This report outlines the range of emerging financing options for: (1) early stage SMMEs still in the prerevenue stage; (2) SMMEs that have achieved revenues but are not yet profitable; and (3) growing SMMEs that have achieved profitability.