Digital Solutions for Hard Hit Economic Sectors

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and brick and mortar stores with smaller footprints have disproportionately felt the impact of COVID-19. In this challenge, ADB aims to find long term and sustainable technological solutions for businesses and MSMEs in hard-hit sectors so they can embark on digital transformation and thrive in the post-COVID-19 era. 

 

Due to their smaller operating scale, MSMEs have less liquidity and are vulnerable to sudden drops in sales, disruption to supply chains, and reduction in the labor supply. The situation is worse in rural areas where there are fewer economic opportunities and more unregistered or informal enterprises.  For more information on which sectors have been hit hardest, please see the Background.

 

How can we help businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 leverage the tools of the digital economy to help them develop online presence and transition to online business models that can potentially spur economic activity?   

• How can we ensure businesses and MSMEs in hard-hit sectors can transition to online business models and leverage the digital economy as the world shifts to the new normal?
• How can we support the journey of brick and mortar MSMEs into the digital economy?
• Within the digital world of online marketplaces, e-commerce platforms, and online payments, what types of unique solutions can be offered to hard-hit MSMEs?
• What other types of digital solutions could we offer to businesses and MSMEs in hard-hit sectors to enable them to thrive online long term?
  

 

Your innovative solutions are what we need to help sectors that bore the brunt of the Covid-19 economic downturn find their path to digital transformation and beyond!

 

 

The selected solution will have potential seed funding of   USD 10,000  or more for selected pilots in ADB's developing member countries.