UNCTAD's EMPRETEC programme is specifically designed to inject entrepreneurial skills and attitudes among entrepreneurs in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enable them to become competitive, creative, innovative and visionary global market players.

In most developing countries, SMEs account for a large share of registered business establishments and employment, and significant ly contribute to the gross domestic output and value added. Therefore, a healthy SME sector is essential to poverty reduction, wealth creation and linking industries to communities in developing countries.