In response to the fact that there have been cases where regional financial institutions and other organizations are supporting the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which have been lagging behind, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has decided to formulate new guidelines that summarize support procedures in order to expand these efforts.
The digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises is expected to lead to more efficient operations and increased sales using data, but according to a survey, more than 60% of small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide are almost untouched due to a shortage of human resources.
Against this backdrop, there have been cases where local financial institutions are supporting the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has decided to consider measures to expand these initiatives.
Specifically, a new study group consisting of executives and experts from financial institutions will be established to examine specific procedures for supporting the digitalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), methods for securing the required skills and human resources, and how to collaborate with other related organizations such as IT companies, referring to precedents from all over Japan.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has decided to compile the results of the study into a new guideline by the end of this fiscal year, and hopes that it will lead to the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as the improvement of financial institutions' profits.