This research study was developed by Kenan Foundation Asia, in consultation with APF Canada. With respect for the efforts taken in developing this publication, credit for the written content lies with Kenan Foundation Asia. While APF Canada provided technical input and editorial support, care was taken to preserve the author’s voice, local context, and approach. We sincerely appreciate Kenan Foundation Asia’s contributions and the important perspective this work brings to the APEC-Canada Growing Business Partnership project.
Transforming Asia Pacific Through Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Embracing Circular Entrepreneurship: A Pathway to Sustainable Growth for Thai MSMEs
March, 25 2026
The full report is now available!
This study examines how circular entrepreneurship can strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of Thailand’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Findings indicate that many MSMEs already practice entry-level circularity through upcycling, reducing packaging, and sourcing locally, but these actions often remain informal and constrained by structural barriers. MSMEs reported a number of challenges but expressed a strong demand for opportunities in building capacity in sustainable product design and packaging, digital marketing and customer engagement, basic financial management for investment readiness, and branding and storytelling to communicate circular value propositions. Overall, evidence from this research suggests that scaling circular entrepreneurship requires ecosystem-level interventions that connect finance, technical assistance, market access, and enabling infrastructure, rather than relying solely on the efforts of individual firms.