The International Network for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (INSME) joins the SME Finance Forum
April 8, 2026: INSME - The International Network for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (INSME) has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. The 250+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.
"The SME Finance Forum is pleased to welcome INSME - The International Network for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. We look forward to working with them on exchanging ideas and best practices for establishing a robust financial ecosystem of SMEs worldwide,” said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.
INSME is a legally recognized not-for-profit association, founded in 2004 and working under the auspices of the OECD – Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The Association gathers innovation and technology transfer stakeholders including, governmental bodies, international organizations, NGOs, business support organizations, chambers of commerce on an international scale. The Network is a facilitator for the creation of public-private partnership, a gateway to innovation, good practices for the support of SMEs and entrepreneurship, and a catalyst of information on opportunities, latest trends, and insights on innovation, SMEs, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.
INSME's priorities are focused on creating a space for the exchange of ideas and best practices. This exchange happens between all the groups they bring together. Additionally, INSME works to spread innovative methodologies that can be used by SMEs to improve their businesses. Another key priority is to bridge the gap between the public and private sectors. By encouraging dialogue, INSME helps to create policies that support the growth and innovation of SMEs. It alss plays a vital role in fostering international partnerships between SMEs, research institutions, and other stakeholders.
On joining SME Finance Forum as its affiliate, Giovanni Zazzerini, Secretary General, INSME - The International Network for SMEs, said, “INSME is proud to join the SME Finance Forum. Together, we can help SMEs access the financial resources they need to innovate, scale, and compete globally.”
SME Finance Forum: Innovation & Partnership for Micro, Small, Medium-Sized Enterprises ( MSMEs) Growth
The SME Finance Forum, backed by G20 and IFC/World Bank, is the leading global network of 250+ members/affiliates operating in 190 countries. The network comprises of SME focused institutions providing and enabling finance and services- banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, payment platforms, development institutions, credit guarantee companies, insurers, investment funds, supply chain linked players, banking and SME associations, policy advocates, regulators, academia, consulting houses, knowledge aggregators.
Our member, affiliates, and associated stakeholders benefit from learning/replicating best practices from across the world, innovating new products for business growth, acquiring risk mitigation tools, establishing partnerships, attracting investors, and being recognized amongst a peer group of global innovators. Our activities consist of “members only” offerings (like innovation hubs, solutions clinics, peer group networks, study tours, specialized tools and trainings, member portal repository,
partnered initiatives) as well as public services (200+ publications library, 500+ videos, webinars, newsletters, trainings, annual awards, annual event etc.)
Discover the SME Finance Forum members/affiliates:
https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list
https://smefinanceforum.org/about/partners
About INSME - The International Network for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
INSME - The International Network for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, is a non-profit Association that, through the facilitation of the creation of public-private partnership, training and exchange of best practices, contributes to the promotion of innovation in SMEs and in establishing a more fertile entrepreneurial ecosystem worldwide.
The Network works under the auspices of the OECD and was established in 2004 by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. Today, it can count on the support of 64 Members from around the globe: 38 from Europe; 12 from Asia; 7 from North America; 4 from South America; and 3 from Africa.
The membership base is diverse, including technology transfer and innovation stakeholders, development banks, policymakers, financial actors, academic institutions, business support organizations, and chambers of commerce on an international scale, involving on a second-tier level millions of SMEs.
Learn more:
Website: https://www.insme.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insme---the-international-network-for-small-and-medium-enterprises/?trk=biz-companies-cym
X: https://x.com/insme_