"Globalization and liberalization […] are creating new dynamics of production, enterprise development and international competition. This means that countries need to formulate new enterprise development strategies to address the multiple factors that underpin enterprise growth and competitiveness…"  Statements by Supachai Panitchpakdi Secretary-General of UNCTAD 10th session of the Commission on Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development Geneva, 21 February 2006

UNCTAD assists developing countries in promoting the development of their enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), so that they are able to grow and compete in the global economy. Enterprise development encompasses multiple factors, including the ability of enterprises to attract investment capital and to participate in mutually beneficial business linkages with transnational corporations. UNCTAD´s Enterprise Development Branch fulfills this mission through the following programmes: