The importance of the contribution – to GDP, to employment, to civil society - made
by the SME sector has been recognized by governments around the world. Much
discussion has focused on how the public sector can best support the small business
sector, and this paper will make the case that creating an environment where SMEs
have adequate access to financial services (to include deposit and money transfer
services, for example, as well as lending) is one of the most important measures a
government can take.