The global conversation surrounding micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) continues to gain momentum, and this week, Forbes spotlighted an important contribution from the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) in its feature article examining the future of cross-border entrepreneurship, fintech infrastructure, and global SME resilience.
In the article, titled “‘It’s Like A Lego’ — Ant International’s $111 Trillion SME Bet,” Forbes referenced the ICSB 2025 Annual Global MSME Report and specifically highlighted the phrase “permanent white water” to describe the increasingly turbulent environment facing MSMEs worldwide.
The phrase, developed through ICSB’s ongoing global MSME research initiatives, reflects the nonstop uncertainty many entrepreneurs now face due to:
- geopolitical instability,
- tariff fluctuations,
- rapid digital transformation,
- supply-chain disruptions,
- and economic fragmentation across regions.
Forbes’ recognition of ICSB’s research and terminology signals the organization’s growing influence in international discussions on entrepreneurship, innovation, and small-business resilience.
Founded in 1955, the International Council for Small Business remains the world’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to advancing MSMEs globally. Under the leadership of Dr. Ayman ElTarabishy, President and CEO of ICSB and Professor at the George Washington University School of Business, the organization has significantly expanded its global footprint across academia, policy, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and multilateral engagement.
Over the past decade, ICSB has played a leading role in elevating MSMEs within international policy discussions. In 2016, ICSB proposed the creation of United Nations MSMEs Day through the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the United Nations. The initiative was later adopted by the UN General Assembly through Resolution A/RES/71/279, officially establishing June 27 as MSMEs Day worldwide.
Since then, ICSB has worked closely with organizations, including the United Nations, the OECD, the World Bank, ecosystem partners, universities, governments, and private-sector leaders, to advance entrepreneurship and SME development across more than 130 countries.
The Forbes article itself focused on how Ant International and its WorldFirst platform are helping SMEs navigate increasingly complex cross-border financial systems through modular AI-driven infrastructure and multi-currency solutions. The article argued that the future of global commerce will increasingly depend on agile SMEs capable of adapting to constant disruption.
In that context, Forbes cited ICSB’s “permanent white water” framework as one of the defining realities shaping the global MSME landscape.
For ICSB, the recognition reflects more than visibility. It demonstrates the growing relevance of MSME-focused research, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and human-centered innovation within the broader global economic conversation.
As the world approaches the 10th anniversary of United Nations MSMEs Day in 2027, ICSB continues to position entrepreneurship, resilience, and inclusive innovation at the center of sustainable economic development worldwide.