ISTANBUL, JUL 1 /DNA/ – The Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8) underscored its commitment to inclusive and sustainable economic development by convening a special webinar on “Green MSMEs and Medical Tourism: Opportunities for MSME Development” in commemoration of the International Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day.

The virtual event drew over 40 participants from across D-8 Member States, including representatives from Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Culture and Tourism, Energy, SME governmental bodies, chambers of commerce, and business support institutions. The diverse attendance highlighted the critical role MSMEs play in driving inclusive growth and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the D-8 region.

In his opening address, H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Secretary-General of the D-8, reaffirmed the status of MSMEs as the backbone of D-8 economies and the primary engine for generating employment, fostering entrepreneurship, and stimulating innovation.

“The transition to greener and more sustainable economies presents vast new opportunities for MSMEs to enhance productivity, strengthen competitiveness, improve resource efficiency, create quality employment, and attract sustainable investment,” stated Ambassador Mahmood. He specifically identified green entrepreneurship and medical tourism as emerging sectors with immense potential to integrate MSMEs into regional and global value chains.

The Secretary-General expressed appreciation to SME Corp. Malaysia for its contribution of expert speakers, who shared valuable national experiences and best practices. He also highlighted the Secretariat’s ongoing efforts to forge closer partnerships with international bodies, including the United Nations, to facilitate access to capacity-building programs and financial services for MSMEs across the bloc.

The technical sessions featured industry experts who provided practical insights for MSME development.

• Ms. Michelle Tee, Founder and Chief Marketing Officer of Wakili Venture Berhad, urged businesses to view sustainability as a strategic investment rather than a cost. She detailed practical approaches for integrating sustainability into operations, including circular business practices, AI-enabled inventory management, and sustainable procurement.
• Mr. Lokman Izam, Vice President of Marketing and Communications of the Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC), showcased Malaysia’s successful healthcare travel ecosystem. He demonstrated how medical tourism generates extensive business opportunities for MSMEs across hospitality, transport, wellness, and digital services.

The webinar also served as a platform for Member States to exchange national strategies and collaborative initiatives:

• Türkiye’s KOSGEB presented its comprehensive framework for supporting the green transformation of MSMEs through its Strategic Plan 2024-2028, while acknowledging access to finance as a persistent challenge.
• Azerbaijan’s KOBIA introduced the Baku Climate Coalition for SMEs Green Transition, formally inviting D-8 Member States to join the initiative, which aims to accelerate sustainable MSME development in the aftermath of COP29.
• Bangladesh shared its experience in promoting sustainable supply chains, particularly within the textile and manufacturing sectors, while emphasizing the need for enhanced financing mechanisms for green MSMEs.
• The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism highlighted its progress in sustainable tourism certification in line with Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards. The Ministry noted that health tourism welcomed approximately 1.4 million international visitors in 2025, generating USD 3.3 billion in revenues, underscoring the significant economic potential for MSME development.

While delegates acknowledged that challenges such as access to finance, technology, certification, and technical expertise remain common, the interactive discussions reaffirmed that stronger regional cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and institutional partnerships can significantly accelerate the transition towards greener, more competitive MSME ecosystems.

Member States expressed their commitment to strengthening collaboration on green entrepreneurship and medical tourism, and signaled their intent to engage actively with the Baku Climate Coalition.

The webinar builds upon the D-8’s long-standing commitment to MSME development, as outlined in the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding among D-8 SME Governmental Bodies, the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030, and the ongoing work of the D-8 SME Centre in Abuja, Nigeria.

Through these strengthened partnerships and a focus on innovation and knowledge exchange, the D-8 continues to promote resilient, sustainable, and globally competitive MSMEs that contribute to shared prosperity across all Member States.