There are an estimated 120 million small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the world, the majority located in regions with developed economies. Beneath SMEs there are even more micro enterprises which tend to escape economic analyses.

SMEs are responsible for higher net employment growth than large companies. Studies by the OECD show that, in many cases, there is a negative relationship between net job creation rates and size of company. In other words, the smaller the enterprise, the more jobs it creates relative to its size.

SMEs also play a significant role in global exports. According to the OECD, SMEs contributed between 25 percent and 35 percent of the world's manufactured exports.

The SME sector as a whole can therefore galvanize an entire economy by creating jobs and spurring growth.

However, SMEs are precisely what the developing economies lack. A recent World Bank study found that in low-income countries, SMEs account for less than 16% of GDP, compared to 39% in middle-income countries and more than 51% in high-income countries.

The message is clear: developing economies do not attain middle-income or higher status without a vibrant SME sector.

So why aren't developing economies doing a better job of creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurs, finding their SME "bootstraps" and pulling themselves out of poverty?

The developing world is not without willing entrepreneurs, but they are often few in number, lack necessary training, are hampered by bureaucracy and do not have the ability to recognize and develop business opportunities. Insufficient and overly traditional educational systems funnel unprepared youth into a very limited formal job market and prepare precious few to be entrepreneurs. Careers in Government are typically the first choice for the educted. Poor access to information limits awareness of other possibilities. The unpredictability so characteristic of developing economies and the agricultural sector in particular, does not promote risk-taking.

Unleashing entrepreneurship and the SMEs they create are key to eliminating poverty.

BCCT deploys volunteers to assist in overcoming obstacles that currently block poverty reduction and development paths.

When the time is right BCL deploys consultants to build on the work of Volunteers to create robust, self sustaining enterprises.