Sikkim, 18-19 March 2023: High growth innovative firms are a leading source of wealth generation and economic development across the world. Many countries across ASEAN and the G20 are actively looking at how to provide incentives to this specific category of firms while at the same time promoting entrepreneurship at large. Despite an unfavorable global macro-economic environment, when it comes to innovation and entrepreneurship the outlook for ASEAN remains positive, driven by its young population and rapid adoption of digital technologies. Innovation and entrepreneurship also offer a great opportunity to identify solutions to global challenges by contributing to addressing sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Dr Giulia Ajmone Marsan, ERIA Director of Strategy and Partnership, joined the second meeting of the newly formed G20 Engagement Group under the India G20 Presidency: Startup20. She participated in the meetings and was appointed as member of the new Startup20 Inclusion Taskforce. 'We still need to understand many of the dynamics by which startups are contributing to the SDGs agenda, but their contribution is essential and potentially huge. Trough the work of the Inclusion Taskforce we want to highlight this potential and bring it to the global stage by identifying best practices, showcasing inclusive innovative business models and identifying data gaps', Dr Ajmone Marsan stated.

ERIA will continue to support the Startup20 engagement group and the various workstreams leading to the Startup20 Summit to take place in July. A number of delegated from various regions in India and overseas joined the Sikkim meetings, including representatives from the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister Office, Invest India, UN Women, UNDP, in addition to delegated from Mexico, Bangladesh, US, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and the EU.