South-east Asia’s SMEs risk being excluded from growing green economy

SOUTH-EAST Asia’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute almost half of the region’s gross domestic product and employ 85 per cent of its workforce, yet their participation in the green economy remains limited.

Not only does this engine of regional growth risk being left out as new business opportunities are created, such SMEs may even lose some existing footholds.

In a recent survey, eight in 10 SMEs said they have lost business opportunities due to stringent emissions compliance policies implemented by customers and suppliers.