The Informal Sector
Epitomizing the
Small and Medium Enterprises

What can the Informal Sector learn from SMEs?
• Defining the Informal Sector • Interconnectedness with the formal sector • Love-hate relationships with the government • Epitomizing the SMEs • Action for the Informal Sector • Poverty alleviation and job creation
Return to the Informal Sector Programme
Epitomizing the SMEs
M uch attention has been placed on small and medium enterprises (including 'microenterprises') as a means of kick-starting a failing economy. It provides more market opportunities, creates jobs, and makes more efficient use of scare resources.

But the informal sector has been doing precisely that - albeit without recognition. The informal sector in fact epitomizes SMEs and we need to acknowledge the key contributions that it makes vis-a-vis the SME sector.

Return to the Informal Sector programme
Comments and suggestions - hsrinivas@gdrc.org