MSME Day: Why small businesses power the global economy
Blog: OpenText Blogs

On June 27, we celebrate MSMEs as businesses that are the backbone of our economy, who drive innovation, create jobs, and foster vibrant communities. This year, MSME Day 2026 will focus on Human-Centered Entrepreneurship, highlighting how MSMEs can thrive in an AI-driven economy, but also find ways to use technology so it serves people rather than displace them.
At OpenText, we recognize the unique challenges faced by MSMEs. Often, MSMEs lack the resources of larger corporations, yet they need enterprise level integration to compete in the global marketplace. That’s why we are proud to support MSMEs with easy EDI integration solutions that help them grow, compete, and innovate while building long-term sustainability.
What is MSME Day?
Recognized by the United Nations since 2017, MSME Day raises awareness about the critical role MSMEs play in building strong, inclusive, and sustainable economies. (Find out more about the founding of MSME Day.) These businesses:
- Represent 90 percent of all companies worldwide
- Provide over 60 to 70 percent of global employment
- Contribute approximately 50 percent of global GDP
With an estimated 400 million MSMEs worldwide, their collective impact continues to grow as they drive innovation, fuel entrepreneurship, and create pathways to economic inclusion
OpenText is aligned with this mission by offering EDI compliance automation, B2B integration, trading partner ecosystem connectivity, and supply chain visibility solutions that help MSMEs operate more efficiently, reduce waste, and adapt to changing global standards for sustainable business while also incorporating AI-enabled operations where it makes sense.
Why supporting MSMEs matters more than ever
MSMEs often face significant hurdles, including:
- Limited access to financing and technology, reflected in a global MSME financing gap estimated at $5.7 trillion
- Disruption from global economic volatility, supply chain instability, and rising operating costs
- Difficulty scaling digital operations and adopting advanced technologies like AI
Yet MSMEs businesses are uniquely positioned to lead innovation at the local level and shape resilient, sustainable economies. Their agility enables them to respond quickly to market shifts, while their deep community ties foster inclusive growth.OpenText bridges the gap by delivering digital infrastructure that enables MSMEs to overcome resource limitations. Our EDI and B2B integration solutions are designed to simplify supply chain integration and support long-term business continuity regardless of size or budget.
The global impact of MSMEs
In the UK, MSMEs are navigating a new reality where growth depends less on expansion and more on operational efficiency. Rising wage costs, regulatory changes, and financing pressures are accelerating the shift toward automation, AI, and integrated digital ecosystems.
Across EMEA, the shift from AI experimentation to measurable business value is redefining digital transformation. MSMEs are prioritizing integrated platforms that deliver clear Return on Investment (ROI) while navigating increasing regulatory and data governance complexity.
MSMEs in Latin America are balancing rapid digital adoption with economic uncertainty. Mobile-first commerce, fintech innovation, and AI are unlocking growth opportunities while infrastructure gaps and funding constraints continue to challenge scalability.
Also, in North America, MSMEs are accelerating their adoption of digital tools, cloud platforms, and AI-driven solutions to improve productivity and resilience amid persistent inflationary pressures, tight labor markets, and evolving customer expectations.
How OpenText supports MSMEs with flexible, scalable digital solutions
With decades of experience in EDI integration, OpenText offers solutions that go far beyond basic document exchange. Our technology is built for the evolving needs of MSMEs, supporting a wide range of communication protocols, data standards, and deployment models. We help businesses stay compliant with global mandates, adapt quickly to changing partner requirements, and harness the power of AI and analytics to unlock new opportunities.
Key benefits of OpenText EDI for MSMEs
- Quick and scalable deployment
Get started quickly with expert onboarding and personalized support. - Custom supply chain integration
Integrate with internal ERP systems and external trading partners for operational efficiency. - Real-time transaction visibility
Gain full oversight of your data to make more informed, timely decisions. - Flexible support models
Choose between self-service tools or managed services based on your business needs and budget. - Growth-ready technology
Scale confidently with a solution built to support long-term sustainability and innovation.
By reducing manual effort and enabling smarter, data-driven logistics, OpenText solutions also help MSMEs lower their environmental footprint, further supporting the theme of sustainable growth.
Join the celebration and embrace growth
MSME Day is a time to celebrate the incredible achievements of small businesses. But it’s also a call to action. Learn more about OpenText and discover how to overcome EDI/B2B integration hurdles to unlock new levels of efficiency and growth.
The post MSME Day: Why small businesses power the global economy appeared first on OpenText Blogs.
