Strengthening SMEs and Entrepreneurship for Productivity and Inclusive Growth : OECD 2018 Ministerial Conference on SMEs SMEs that grow have a considerable positive impact on employment creation innovation productivity growth and competitiveness. Digital technologies and global value chains offer new opportunities for SMEs to participate in the global economy innovate and strengthen productivity. Yet SMEs are lagging behind in the digital transition and are disproportionately affected by market failures trade barriers policy inefficiencies and the quality of institutions. A cross cutting approach to SME policy can enhance SME innovation and scale up as well as their contributions to inclusive growth. This includes a business environment conducive to risk taking and experimentation by entrepreneurs as well as access to entrepreneurship competencies management and workforce skills technology innovation and networks.