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The OAS and WhatsApp Join Forces on Digital Marketing Solutions for MSMEs in the Wake of COVID-19

The Organization of American States (OAS) is partnering with WhatsApp Business to provide micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Latin America and the Caribbean access to digital tools and customized training on WhatsApp's Business app, to help them better position themselves in the marketplace.

The program will be launched on Wednesday, October 14th at 10:30 EDT (14:30 GMT) via a Facebook Live event.

The launch of this new collaboration is part of the OAS’ thrust to build resilience in the MSME sector by assisting MSMEs to expand their digital footprint and engage in e-commerce, in response to growing online consumer demand in the region.

As part of this joint effort, WhatsApp will offer a range of tools in its Business app together with online training. The program will also include a train-the-trainer component for authorities responsible for supporting small businesses in member states.

Likewise, member states will have the option to develop national MSME directories to centralize access to information, products and services offered by MSMEs.

According to OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Kim Osborne, “the growth of the small business sector is a priority for the OAS and its member states as they strive to recover from the economic devastation emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to continue building key alliances that further support our micro, small and medium enterprises, focusing on developing institutional and technical capacity, while expanding visibility.”

For his part, WhatsApp's Director of Public Policy for Latin America, Pablo Bello, said: "WhatsApp is honored to work with the OAS in this strategic partnership to help the economic recovery of the region through small businesses. WhatsApp is committed to support small and local businesses to get through these difficult times, and we believe that our free Business app can provide very useful tools, allowing them to establish a digital identity and presence in an easy and low-cost way. This is especially critical during the pandemic, when small businesses have been hit the hardest and social isolation measures have forced them to digitalize their operations in an sudden way.”

More Information: Gina Ochoa ([email protected]).

WHAT: Launch of OAS and WhatsApp Partnership to Provide Digital Tools and Training to Small Businesses to Help Them Recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic

WHEN: Wednesday, October 14th, 2020, 10:30 EDT (14:30 GMT)

WHERE: https://www.facebook.com/marketing.espanol/

Reference: AVI-134/20