What is a Microenterprise?
Microenterprises defie a definition. Street venders, carpenters, machine shop operators. seamstresses and peasant farmers---microentrepreneurs come in all types, and their businesses in many sizes. This diverse group requires a variety of support to grow and improve. Many of these men and women and their employees are poor and have limited access to services. But they do not lack potential. More than 80 percent of the businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean have l 0 employees or less, and they account for as much as half of all employment in many countries. Numbered at some 50 million, these microenterprises can no longer be considered marginal. They are the heart of the region's economy.
REDUCING POVERTY
Microenterprises contribute significantly to economic growth, social stability and equity. The sector is one of the most important vehicles through which low-income people can escape poverty. With limited skills and education to compete for formal sector jobs, these men and women find economic opportunities in microenterprise as business owners and employees.
In Chile. for example, a Banco del Desarrollo evaluation found that 88 percent of the bank's microenterprise clients, who represent the poorest groups, improved their standard of living after receiving a loan.
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN
Women-owned businesses make up one of the fastest growing segments of microenterprise. In Latin America and the Caribbean, women own and operate 30-60 percent of such companies. ne work women do outside the home is usually in addition to the care they provide for their families, which limits their business opportunities. Moreover, they often face even greater obstacles than their male counterpane in getting credit from formal sources.
Increased income in the hands of women is invested in health, education and housing for their families. As microentrepreneurs, women not only make a huge contribution to national income, but they also create reliable social safety nets for their families and communities.
WHAT INHIBITS MICROENTERPRISE GROWTH?
Official policies often make business difficult for microentrepreneurs. Improved business regulations, tax regimes, licensing requirements, financial sector reform and bank supervision will promote better conditions for microenterprise development.
Less than five percent of Latin American rnicroentrepreneurs have access to formal financial services. Deposit services are rarely geared to these businesspeople, especially in rural areas. The small loans microentrepreneurs usually need generally are less attractive to traditional formal financial institutions because of their high transaction costs.
Microentrepreneurs also lack access to services such as marketing, training in basic business skills, and technology transfer.
- Source:
- The IDB and Microenterprise - Promoting Growth with Equity
Hari Srinivas - hsrinivas@gdrc.org
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