The APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership (ACGBP) is an initiative funded by the Government of Canada and implemented by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), in partnership with local organizations in five ‘focus economies’: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam. ACGBP aims to improve inclusive, sustainable growth for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women.
The ACGBP project officially launched capacity-building and policy leadership activities in the first quarter of 2025. APF Canada, in collaboration with local partners, has been fully engaged in the development of a series of activities in the five focus economies. Throughout the year, APF Canada and implementation partners will collaborate to deliver business management workshops, mentorship programs for women entrepreneurs, research studies, policy briefs, and policy workshops in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.
ACGBP aims to improve inclusive, sustainable growth for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women.
All activities in the project will aim to address key issues for inclusive and sustainable MSME development in the focus economies. Major themes addressed in the project include:
- Access to finance for women-led MSMEs;
- Digital transformation and digital literacy for MSMEs;
- Transition from the informal to formal economy;
- Gender-responsive and sustainable business practices;
- Circular economy and sustainable growth, and;
- Environmental, social and governance (ESG) readiness.
Aligning with APF Canada’s mission to be the catalyst for Canada’s engagement in Asia, the ACGBP project supports Canada-Asia relations by advancing Canada’s Official Development Assistance in Southeast Asia. APF Canada will continue to engage with local partners, Canadian missions in Asia, and local governments, to ensure the ACGBP project remains relevant, beneficial, and applicable to the local context.