UNITAR - UNCTAD Event #4: 'Blue entrepreneurship and MSMEs resurgence'

The objective of this virtual discussion is to identify and analyse the main impacts of COVID-19 on entrepreneurs and MSMEs, their reactions, as well as the support they have received to face the current situation.

Discussions will provide an opportunity for an intermediate impact assessment of the disruption, would help to identify a set of priority policies and measures for immediate basic re-opening measures for small business-owners, in order to facilitate resurgence, and develop a longer- term social and green economic recovery strategy where the entrepreneurship and MSMEs play a central role leaving no one behind.

The webinar series will also help to raise awareness of challenges on post COVID-19 resurgence of MSMEs and share practices on how they could
be addressed to facilitate the role of entrepreneurship and MSMEs in the green, sustainable social and economic recovery.

Learning Objectives:

1) What is the impact of COVID 19 on blue economy? Has it accelerated the shift toward a blue economy, including in SIDS countries?
2) How have entrepreneurs and MSMEs in the blue economy adapted to the COVID-19 crisis? Does COVID-19 provide new opportunities for entrepreneurs and MSMEs in the blue economy and how could those be seized?
3) How can government policies ensure the integration of entrepreneurs and MSME in the sustainable blue recovery?
4) What are the key challenges and good practices to be considered to facilitate MSMEs contribution to the blue economy in the aftermath of COVID 19? What capacity building programmes are available in this regard?