The main goal of the CEPS-IEMed Working Group is to conduct an independent assessment of the obstacles facing access to finance to the SMEs in the region, and to examine practical avenues to improve the status quo. As noted by Ambassador Senén Florenza (IEMed), Chairman of the Working Group and Rym Ayadi (CEPS), Rapporteur, in their introductory remarks, the outcome of the Working Group will serve as a “repository of reflections”, which will fill a serious gap by offering an in-depth analysis of the key issues and remain a reference for future initiatives. Among the specific solutions that are already on table, the role of credit guarantee schemes, trade finance, bank diversity, capital markets and innovative funding sources have been discussed.