SME Policy Index: Eastern Partner Countries 2024

This fourth edition, following previous assessments in 2012, 2016, and 2020, evaluates progress in SME policy design and implementation against EU and international best practices. The report is structured around the ten principles of the Small Business Act for Europe and incorporates priorities from the EU's SME Strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe. It provides key findings on SME development and related policies in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, identifying emerging challenges and offering recommendations. The 2024 edition features an updated methodology, including a new pillar analyzing policies supporting digital transformation. This report serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, highlighting improvements in areas such as e-government services, entrepreneurial learning, and SME skills development, while also emphasizing the need for further reforms to enhance SME resilience and productivity in the region.