ASM 2025: Global Uncertainty, Trade, and Private Sector Businesses in Asia and the Pacific 12 to 13 November 2025 Baku, Azerbaijan ADB organized the Launch Seminar of the Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor (ASM) 2025 Edition, which addressed the theme “Global Uncertainty, Trade, and Private Sector Businesses in Asia and the Pacific” on 12–13 November 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. The ASM was a signature knowledge product published annually by ADB. It supported ADB’s developing member countries in promoting evidence-based policy design for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) development by providing a unique data platform and delivering high-quality analyses on MSMEs. Past editions were available online. Day 1 (12 November) discussed key findings from the ASM 2025 edition, with policy dialogue sessions on MSME development strategies and finance amid global uncertainty, as well as discussions on rethinking MSME trade policies. Day 2 (13 November) featured a back-to-back academic session co-organized by the ADB and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Institute, which addressed the challenging global trade environment and the private sector in developing Asia. The Day 2 event aimed to promote high-quality, frontline research on MSME development issues that support inclusive growth in developing Asia and the Pacific, and to foster knowledge sharing among social scientists, development practitioners, and policymakers. It featured selected papers, which were incorporated into the thematic book under the ASM 2025 to be launched in the first quarter of 2026. OBJECTIVES At the end of the seminar, participants had: familiarized themselves with emerging trends in MSME development, access to finance, and relevant policies in Asia and the Pacific; identified key policy issues on MSME development toward resilient growth in the region; and encouraged policy discussions on new, innovative ideas to design an MSME ecosystem nationally and regionally. Program and Learning Materials 12 November 2025 13 November 2025 Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Session 1: Trends and Challenges in MSME Development, Access to Finance, and Policy Interventions in Asia and the Pacific: Lessons from the Asia SME Monitor 2025 Trends and Challenges in MSME Development in Developing Asia and the Pacific This presentation gives an overview of the key trends and challenges in MSME development in developing Asia and the Pacific. Shigehiro Shinozaki Session 2: How Governments Can Respond to Increased Global Uncertainty for Designing the Effective MSME Development Strategies Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA) of the Republic of Azerbaijan This presentation gives an overview of KOBIA’s role in supporting SME development in Azerbaijan. Firangiz Aghayeva Session 2: How Governments Can Respond to Increased Global Uncertainty for Designing the Effective MSME Development Strategies SME Development for Sustainable Job Creation This presentation gives an overview of Uzbekistan’s SME development strategy to support sustainable job creation. Timur Khusanov Session 2: How Governments Can Respond to Increased Global Uncertainty for Designing the Effective MSME Development Strategies How Governments Can Respond to Increased Global Uncertainty This presentation gives an overview of the strategic framework and key initiatives aimed at supporting and developing SMEs in Kyrgyzstan. Akim Nasirov Session 2: How Governments Can Respond to Increased Global Uncertainty for Designing the Effective MSME Development Strategies How Governments Can Respond to Increased Global Uncertainty for Designing Effective MSME Development Strategies This presentation gives an overview of how CAREC can strengthen MSME resilience and competitiveness through digitalization, green transition, and… Ghulam Samad Session 3: Financing MSMEs amid Global Uncertainty – How Financial Regulators Can Handle the Potential Financing Risks for MSMEs Build Your Business This presentation gives an overview of DAMU Entrepreneurship Development Fund JSC, highlighting its activities and strategic objectives. Arsen Mustafin Session 3: Financing MSMEs amid Global Uncertainty – How Financial Regulators Can Handle the Potential Financing Risks for MSMEs Financing MSMEs amid Global Uncertainty –How Financial Regulators Can Handle the Potential Financing Risks for MSMEs This presentation gives an overview of the Central Bank of Azerbaijan’s efforts to improve SME access to finance through regulatory and financial… Rustam Tahirov Session 3: Financing MSMEs amid Global Uncertainty – How Financial Regulators Can Handle the Potential Financing Risks for MSMEs Response from Pakistan This presentation gives an overview of the role and challenges of SMEs in Pakistan's economy, focusing on financing risks amid global uncertainties. Fatima Javaid Session 3: Financing MSMEs amid Global Uncertainty – How Financial Regulators Can Handle the Potential Financing Risks for MSMEs Enhancing SME Finance Amid Global Uncertainty: Trends and Policies This presentation gives an overview of SME financing trends, highlighting access challenges, sustainability, and support for women entrepreneurs amid… Maria Camila Jimenez Session 4: Rethinking MSME Trade Policies – Key Challenges on Promoting International Business for MSMEs and the Role of Regional Cooperation Trade Policy and MSME This presentation gives an overview of the role of trade policy in supporting MSMEs in Azerbaijan. Hasan Aliyev Session 4: Rethinking MSME Trade Policies – Key Challenges on Promoting International Business for MSMEs and the Role of Regional Cooperation Rethinking MSME Trade Policies – Key Challenges on Promoting International Business for MSMEs and the Role of Regional Cooperation This presentation gives an overview of MSMEs’ challenges in international business and the need for supportive policies and cooperation to enhance… Arief Ramayandi Session 4: Rethinking MSME Trade Policies – Key Challenges on Promoting International Business for MSMEs and the Role of Regional Cooperation Rethinking MSME Trade Policies This presentation provides an overview of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development's (EBRD) initiatives and support for micro, small, and… Elmin Ibrahimov Session / Activity Title Speaker(s) Session 1: Private Sector Development and Inclusive Growth Youth, Labor Market Dynamics, and the Role of Entrepreneurship in Bhutan This presentation gives an overview of youth labor market challenges in Bhutan, highlighting the constraints and potential of entrepreneurship. Carlos Alberto Coca Gamito Session 1: Private Sector Development and Inclusive Growth Minimizing Risks, Maximizing Performance: The Role of Enterprise Risk Management in SMEs This presentation gives an overview of how ERM boosts SME performance and competitiveness in Pakistan. Muhammad Shahid Rasheed Session 2: International Trade for MSMEs From Global Trade to Local Inclusion Through Policy Interventions: A Causal Mediation Study of MSMEs in Emerging Asia This presentation gives an overview of how targeted policies mediate MSME participation in global trade and inclusive growth in emerging Asia. Avik Ghosh Session 2: International Trade for MSMEs Empowering Women in the Trade Space The presentation gives an overview of the challenges and opportunities for women's empowerment in trade within South Asia. Mahnoor Arshad Session 3: Technology Adoption for MSMEs Digitalization, Business Model Experimentation, and Sustainability Impact: Firm-Level Evidence from ASEAN Entrepreneurs This gives an overview of how entrepreneurs in ASEAN countries use digital tools to make their business models more sustainable and successful. Shu Tian Session 3: Technology Adoption for MSMEs Digital Adoption, Financial Conditions, Government Support, and MSME Export Likelihood This presentation gives an overview of how digital adoption, financial conditions, and government support influenced MSME export participation during… Hazwan Haini Session 4: Investing and Financing MSMEs Financing MSMEs under Global Uncertainty: Evidence from Export-Oriented MSMEs in Indonesia This presentation gives an overview of how global economic uncertainty affects financing for export-oriented MSMEs in Indonesia. Dewi Lestari Amaliah Session 4: Investing and Financing MSMEs Financing Challenges and Effects of Concessionary Loans on Firms’ Performance in MSMEs in Sri Lanka This presentation gives an overview of how concessionary loans affect MSME performance in Sri Lanka, highlighting financing challenges and stronger… Janaka Fernando Session 5: MSME Trade Policies and Assessments Bridging Bytes and Borders: Transformation of Trade in CAREC Countries This presentation gives an overview of how digitalization affects bilateral trade in CAREC countries and the need to address the digital divide to… Madiha Riaz Session 5: MSME Trade Policies and Assessments Impact of the 2025 United States Tariffs on Firm Export Behavior: Evidence from Asian Customs Data This presentation gives an overview of how the 2025 United States tariffs affected export behavior in developing Asia, particularly among MSMEs. Ritsuko Iseki, Shigehiro Shinozaki Disclaimer The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Event Coordinator/s Shigehiro Shinozaki Angel Love Roque Nanette Lozano Paulo Rodelio Marquez Halili Related Full Agenda ADB Organizer/s Economic Research and Development Impact Department Read Also ADB Events Air Page Past editions of Asia Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Monitor Partner Organization/s CAREC Institute Topics Economics Industry and Trade