Micro, Small & Medium Enterprise Development in the Caribbean: Towards A New Frontier - | 132
APPENDIX 2A: TEMPLATE - INFORMATION REQUESTS 3A - Interview questions Section 1: Introduction 1. How do you define MSME Development? 2. Do you believe that MSME is a priority here? 3. If “no”. Why? 4. If “yes”, why do you think MSME development is a national priority? 5. How has the development of MSMEs in (COUNTRY) evolved? 6. Do you believe that informal (unregistered) businesses should be formalised? Please explain. 7. a) What are the pros and cons of MSME development as it relates to entrepreneurship? 7. b) What are the pros and cons of MSME development as it relates to social justice? 7. c) What are the pros and cons of MSME development as it relates to Economic Growth and Development? 7. d) What are the pros and cons of SME development as it relates to Global Competitiveness? 8. Are you aware of, or are involved in, donor funding or government subsidies for MSMEs? 8. a) If yes, what are the benefits and the downsides? In what ways would you say that these public sector and donor interventions have helped to impact MSME growth, development and/or expansion? Section 2: MSME Sector Profile 9. How do you define and classify MSMEs in (COUNTRY)? NOTE: For this Study, we classify MSMEs as follows: Micro : 1-5 employees; Small
: 6-15 employees;
Medium: 16-50 employees. 10. Should this definition and classification extend/apply to the wider Caribbean? 11. Allow me to share the latest Performance Statistics for Small Businesses in (COUNTRY). Would you agree that the specific economic indicators required to measure performance in a MSME should be:
• Profitability – net profit margin
• Liquidity – current ratio - assets/liabilities
• Debt – accounts payable
• Asset turnover – operating expense ratios
• Employees - Number and levels.
12. Would you suggest any other major economic indicators of performance from global observations? 13. What, in your opinion are the strengths of the MSME sector? 14. What are the weaknesses? 15. What opportunities are available for MSMEs here? 16. What are the threats to this sector? Please share your opinion on how the following factors affect MSME development in (COUNTRY) and in the wider Caribbean.