El Salvador’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)—which represent 99.6% of the national business landscape—have achieved a major economic milestone. Through the project Development of Dynamic Micro and Small Enterprises for El Salvador’s Economic Reactivation, the initiative delivered an impressive $5.34 return for every dollar invested. Backed by a $6.6 million contribution from South Korea, the program focused on boosting entrepreneurship,driving innovation, and accelerating digital transformation to strengthen the nation’s core economic engine.
Executed in strategic partnership with CONAMYPE, the UNDP, and the South Korean government, the multi-million-dollar initiative directly and indirectly benefited approximately 27,000 people. Beyond driving sales, the core mission centered on creating sustainable employment opportunities and expanding business acceleration services. To support long-term growth, the project established targeted educational coursework, digital classrooms, and a dedicated Digital Entrepreneurship Innovation Center.
The project’s high impact highlights the value of international cooperation in driving local development. Highlighting the broader social return, UNDP Resident Representative Jairo Acuña emphasized, “We are extremely proud of the return on investment achieved, because it means we have improved the quality of life for a person or a family.” South Korea’s Ambassador, Kwa Tae Yeol, was also formally recognized by local officials for his country’s vital role in advancing Salvadoran entrepreneurship.
As the program officially concludes, it leaves behind a proven, scalable model for economic reactivation. Celebrating the project’s lasting impact, CONAMYPE President Paul Steiner declared, “I am delighted to say: mission accomplished. This project has left not only a legacy with the beneficiary companies, but we have also created a working model with a very successful methodology.” By empowering local entrepreneurs, El Salvador continues to build a resilient economic foundation supported by strong global partnerships.