Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are an important driver for job creation and economic growth. However, the global crisis has hit SMEs hard, restricting bank lending, eroding consumer demand, foreign direct investment, remittances and international capital inflows. To support SME development and stimulate growth, Eastern Partner governments from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine are undergoing extensive reforms to enhance productivity, human capital and company level performance. The SME Policy Index: Eastern Partner Countries 2012 – Progress in the Implementation of the Small Business Act for Europe gives policymakers a framework to assess national SME policies. The report helps identify strengths and weaknesses in policy design and implementation, compare experiences and performance, set priorities and measure convergence towards implementation of the policy principles promoted by the Small Business Act for Europe.