e-Business in Latin America and the Caribbean

Micro and small businesses (MSBs) account for between two-thirds and three-quarters of all private sector jobs in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. Promoting the successful adoption of e-Business by MSBs can help these firms boost their income and create more jobs. Several impact evaluations show that e-Business improves the knowledge, market outreach, and productivity of small businesses, enabling them to compete more effectively in local and international markets and to realize their growth potential. In 2004, the World Bank launched an initiative aimed at helping public and private organizations in Latin America accelerate the rate of e-Business adoption among MSBs.   More

Intermediary Organizations' Support for SME e-Business Adoption
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often lag behind larger firms in the adoption of e-Business tools. Intermediary organizations - Chambers of Commerce, Business Associations and Governmental Agencies - are in a good position to help SMEs narrow this gap as they have both the leverage and the necessary funds. "Intermediary Organizations' Support for SME e-Business Adoption" was the subject of a conference organized by the World Bank's Latin America and the Caribbean Region on June 6, 2005.   More