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Project Title

Digitalization for Green Transitions (PDGT) for APEC Women MSMEs

Project Year

2025

Project Number

SMEWG_211_2025A

Project Session

Session 2

Project Type

Standard

Project Status

Project in Implementation
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Project No.

SMEWG_211_2025A

Project Title

*
Digitalization for Green Transitions (PDGT) for APEC Women MSMEs

Project Status

Project in Implementation

Fund Account

*
APEC Support Fund

Sub-fund

ASF: Promoting Digitalisation for Green Transitions (PDGT)

Project Year

2025

Project Session

*
Session 2

APEC Funding

88,681

Co-funding Amount

0

Total Project Value

88,681

Sponsoring Forum

*
Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG)

Topics

Digital Technology and Innovation; Green Economy; Women's Economic Empowerment

Committee

SOM Steering Committee on Economic and Technical Cooperation (SCE)

Other Fora Involved

Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved

 

Proposing Economy(ies)

Malaysia

Co-Sponsoring Economies

Chile; Thailand; Viet Nam

Expected Start Date

01/01/2026

Expected Completion Date

30/06/2027

Project Proponent Name 1

Zainul Arifin bin Kamaruddin

Job Title 1

Manager, Business and Enterprise Development

Organization 1

Centre of Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR), Malaysia

Telephone 1

+60139361353

Email 1

zainul.arifin@smebank.com.my

Project Proponent Name 2

Adlil Hafiz Ariffin

Job Title 2

Head, Planning & Business Operation

Organization 2

Centre of Entrepreneur Development and Research (CEDAR), Malaysia

Telephone 2

+6010 - 2266077

Email 2

adlil@smebank.com.my

Declaration

Zainul Arifin bin Kamaruddin

Project Summary

This project supports APEC’s inclusive and green growth by raising awareness among women-led MSMEs on the intersection of digitalization and sustainability. A 2-day workshop in Kuala Lumpur will bring together 21 representatives (one per APEC economy), local entrepreneurs, and experts to explore how digital tools can drive greener business practices. The workshop will introduce foundational concepts such as supply chain optimization, e-commerce sustainability, and climate-smart technologies, specifically tailored for MSMEs. By fostering dialogue, sharing case studies, and promoting regional cooperation, the project will help narrow the digital divide, increase climate resilience, and support women’s economic participation across

the region.

Relevance

Region

Women-led MSMEs often face barriers to adopting digital technologies and transitioning to sustainable practices due to limited access to resources and capacity- building opportunities. According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), women entrepreneurs are 25% less likely to leverage digital platforms compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, environmental challenges such as climate change disproportionately affect MSMEs, further exacerbating existing inequalities. This project addresses these challenges by promoting digital as a channel towards green transition by reducing process cycles and resource consumption. It also ensures women are represented not only as beneficiaries but also as expert facilitators and thought lea ders throughout the workshop design and delivery.


Eligibility and Fund Priorities

This project addresses APEC’s priority of inclusive and sustainable development by equipping women-led MSMEs with digital tools to kickstart transition to green practices. It prioritizes capacity building in developing APEC economies, including but not limited to Indonesia, Philippines, and Viet Nam.


Capacity Building

The program supports inclusive development by:

-Covering travel for 21 economy representatives (1 per economy),

-Hosting expert-led sessions on accessible digital tools,

-Equipping participants with ready-to-use frameworks and resources,

-Producing follow-up materials to extend learning to home economies.

Objectives

To equip APEC Women MSMEs with the tools and knowledge to integrate digitalization into their operations, enabling better efficiency and therefore kickstarts green transition that foster sustainability, resilience, and economic empowerment.


To build awareness among women-led MSMEs across APEC economies on how digital technologies can facilitate green transitions. Through a focused 2-day workshop, participants will gain essential knowledge, explore best practices, and identify practical entry points for integrating sustainability into business operations.

Alignment

APEC

The project directly aligns with the Aotearoa Plan of Action’s goals to advance women’s economic empowerment and sustainable development through digital innovation.

It is also inline with the Lima Roadmap to Promote the Transition to the Formal and Global Economies (2025-2040) addressing Key Area E: Advancing inclusive trade and investment environment to broaden access to markets and global trade participation by:

  1. Further integrate inclusivity and sustainability into trade and investment policies to ensure that the benefits are widely shared among all economic actors, including MSMEs, women, and other groups with untapped economic potential.
  2. Promote the development of MSMEs, including by by developing evidence-based best practices and scalable AI and digital solutions, and exchanging best practices on inclusive policy frameworks , without proposing new international policy instruments.


Forum

This project aligns with SMEWG’s priority to strengthen MSME capacity and PPWE’s mission to uplift women entrepreneurs. It supports cross-forum collaboration to bridge digital and sustainability divides.

Beneficiaries and Outputs

Output


1) Pre-Event Survey

Purpose: map MSME digital/green needs; identify toolsets/case studies; inform agenda.


Target Economies/Groups: Open to inputs from all 21 APEC economies via focal points. Priority analysis lens on developing member economies to ensure relevance.


Method: Online questionnaire (via SMEWG/PPWE focal points) using a secure survey platform;


Timeline: Jan–Aug 2026.


Deliverables: Survey instrument; response tracker; summary of findings with a minimum of 10 pages; agenda inputs.


2) 2-Day Workshop

Purpose: build MSME awareness and skills on digital tools for green transitions through two-way engagement (plenary & expert sessions, peer case clinics, hands-on demos, small-group action planning)


Format: keynotes, expert panels, interactive breakouts, marketplace of tools, action planning lab.


Scope: ~50 total attendees (funded travelers from TEEs + other economy nominees + local entrepreneurs + experts).


Target dates: Jan 2027.


Deliverables: Event held; attendance list; consolidated slide pack and notes.


The draft agenda for the event is as following. This are still pending response from survey and further refinement.


2-Day Workshop Draft Agenda:

Day 1 – Foundations & Digital Tools for Green Transition Opening & Welcome Remarks

Keynote & Plenary: Digital Tools for Greener MSME Operations

Case Clinic I (Breakout Session): Identifying MSME Challenges & Digital Opportunities

Panel Discussion: Sustainable E-Commerce Practices

Hands-On Lab: Using Simple Digital Tools for Resource & Emissions Tracking

Day 1 Insights & Reflection Session

Day 2 – Climate-Smart Operations & Action Planning Recap of Day 1 Learnings

Expert Session: Climate-Smart Operations for MSMEs

Case Clinic II (Breakout Session): Refining Digital Pilot Concepts Policy Mini-Roundtable with SME Agencies & Stakeholders Hands-On Lab: Developing MSME-Specific 90-Day Action Plans Cross-Economy Collaboration & Networking Session

Closing Panel: Expert Reflections & Recommendations Post-Event Survey & Closing Ceremony


3) Policy and Practice Report (APEC Publication)

Purpose: synthesize findings, policy suggestions, and MSME action pathways.


Minimum Length: minimum 12 pages (excluding annexes, executive summary, table of contents, and any slide decks), in line with APEC Publications Guidelines.


Rough Structure: (i) Introduction & context; (ii) Survey findings; (iii) MSME-ready digital pathways for green transition; (iv) Case studies (women-led MSMEs); (v) Policy and program recommendations (gender- responsive); (vi) Implementation considerations for developing economies; (vii) Monitoring indicators & next steps.


Timeline: Apr–Jun 2027.

Deliverables: Draft (Apr); Final (Jun) circulated for forum endorsement.


Outcome

1) Increased knowledge and awareness among participants on digital pathways for green transitions. Indicator: ≥75% participants report knowledge gain (Pre-/Post-event Survey).


2) Early-stage adoption of digital tools (e.g., basic carbon/energy tracking, inventory/logistics optimization, eco- efficiency tweaks in e-commerce).

Indicator: ≥10% of participants adopt at least one tool within 6 months after workshop.


3) Gender-responsive policy and program inputs for SMEWG/PPWE.

Indicator: Report includes ≥5 practical recommendations considered by ≥3 economies.


Beneficiaries

Direct Participants: 21 nominated MSME representatives (one per economy), preferably women founders/managers with decision-making authority; plus government MSME focal points; ecosystem enablers; and women experts/practitioners as speakers. Desired profile: active role in MSME operations or policy programs; capacity to cascade learning domestically.


Identification & Outreach: Participants will be sourced via SMEWG and PPWE focal points, national MSME agencies, women’s business networks (e.g., chambers/associations), and targeted outreach to e-commerce/platform ecosystems. A standard nomination template (experience, role, motivation, intended cascade plan) will be circulated. Priority will be given to women-led MSMEs and to ensuring balanced economy representation.


Secondary Beneficiaries: local MSMEs and business councils, policy agencies, accelerators, and chambers that access the repository and report.


Gender Targeting: ≥50% female participants; ≥50% female speakers/experts; sex- disaggregated data collected at registration and evaluation.

Dissemination

APEC Publications: The Policy & Practice Report will be submitted as APEC Publication and, once endorsed and approved, published via the APEC Publications Database for wider dissemination.


Other Documents: Non-publication documents (e.g., agendas, participant lists) will be disseminated via the APEC Meeting Documents Database or APEC Project Database, as appropriate.


External Sharing & IP: All written outputs are APEC project outputs under APEC copyright. Any external hosting or republication will follow APEC IP Policy and, where required, be covered by an APEC copyright license (no fee unless for profit-making purposes). External posts/webpages (e.g., CEDAR mirror) will link to the APEC publication entry and host only metadata/briefs unless licensed.


Channels: APEC website (primary), SMEWG/PPWE channels, co-sponsors’ networks, targeted outreach to MSME agencies/platforms; optional post-event webinar to present key findings.


Audience: MSMEs, SME agencies, policy makers, accelerators, ecosystem platforms.

Gender

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Work Plan

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Risks

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Linkages

This workshop will engage:

-PPWE and SMEWG

-Regional digital platforms (e.g., Tokopedia, Shopee for case examples)

-Local business councils for outreach and post-event visibility

-Potential synergies with similar initiatives, including the proposed APEC project on sustainable tourism (Empowering Women-Led MSMEs in Tourism), will be explored to maximize cross-learning and cost-effectiveness.

Sustainability

Participants leave with a simple 90-day action checklist; PO issues reminders up to 3 months to document tool trials and challenges.

Direct Labour

Please see Project Proposal in Supporting Documents folder.

Are there any supporting document attached?

Yes
Project No.
Project Title
Project Status
Fund Account
Sub-fund
Project Year
Project Session
APEC Funding
Co-funding Amount
Total Project Value
Sponsoring Forum
Topics
Committee
Other Fora Involved
Other Non-APEC Stakeholders Involved
Proposing Economy(ies)
Co-Sponsoring Economies
Expected Start Date
Expected Completion Date
Project Proponent Name 1
Job Title 1
Organization 1
Telephone 1
Email 1
Project Proponent Name 2
Job Title 2
Organization 2
Telephone 2
Email 2
Declaration
Project Summary
Relevance
Objectives
Alignment
Beneficiaries and Outputs
Dissemination
Gender
Work Plan
Risks
Monitoring and Evaluation
Linkages
Sustainability
Direct Labour
Are there any supporting document attached?
hdFldAdmin
Project Number
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Secretariat Comments
Reprogramming Notes
Consolidated QAF
Endorsement By Fora
PD Sign Off
Batch
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Committee Priority
PDM Priority
Priority Within Funding Category
Monitoring Report Received
Completion Report Received
PMU Field 1
PMU Field 2
PMU Field 3
On Behalf Of
Proposal Status
Originating Sub-Forum
Approval Status
Attachments
Content Type: Standard Proposal
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