Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of the economy in the ASEAN Member States, and are the largest source of people’s livelihoods and domestic employment across all economic sectors, including fisheries. MSMEs could also provide opportunities for women and youth to participate in the economic development of the countries. Considering that a robust, dynamic and efficient MSME could ensure sustainable social and economic development, the stimulation and promotion of competitive and innovative MSMEs is critical in boosting greater economic growth of the ASEAN region.

The overexploitation and decline of aquatic resources coupled with the lack of alternative/supplementary livelihoods in fisheries communities have constrained the sustainable development of fisheries in the ASEAN region, a situation which has led to rural poverty. Efforts have been made to explore ways and approaches to minimize further deterioration of the economic conditions of the fisheries communities by activating and improving rural economy with the view to improving the fishers’ livelihoods, alleviating poverty and contributing to the overall sustainable socio-economic development.

The fisheries MSME sector, particularly the subsistent/marginal as well as self-sufficient/small surplus sub-sectors, is confronted with a wide-range of issues and challenges. These include the limited access to technology¸ micro credit and local financial services as well as to domestic market. The insufficient entrepreneurial spirit and management skills, compounded by the lack of information, limited compliance to standards and certification, and the absence of an environment conducive to various business ventures, have also contributed to the concerns of this sector.

The ASEAN Member Countries in collaboration with SEAFDEC and the ASEAN Secretariat with funding support from the ASEAN Foundation through Japan-ASEAN Solidarity Fund, had initiated and implemented the Project on the Promotion of “One Village, One Fisheries Product (FOVOP)” System to Improve the Livelihood of the Fisheries Communities in the ASEAN Region (2007-2010). The 30-month Project introduced the adapted the “One Village, One Product (OVOP)” concept which originated from Oita Prefecture in Japan, under the context of the ASEAN region’s fisheries scenario.
Through the experiences and lessons learnt from the Project as well as other on-going OVOP-like initiatives in the ASEAN region, FOVOP has been identified as a potential approach which could contribute to the region’s efforts in providing alternative/supplementary livelihoods to fishers and their communities through enhanced rural economy and abated poverty. In effect, fishers and their communities would be empowered in order to be actively engaged in long-term fisheries development and management processes.