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Big phish, little phish: how governments can secure small business digital ecosystems
As the number of cyber incidents multiply, governments have a growing responsibility to support vulnerable segments of the economy in bolstering their cyber defenses. A new Mastercard whitepaper outlines how the public sector can safeguard digital services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), secure their economies, and develop market-wide cyber resilience through public-private partnerships. Globally,…
A slice of the pie: unlocking government procurement for SMEs
Small- and medium-sized enterprises offer a range of innovative products and services, but often face barriers when trying to do business with government. A recent webinar heard experts’ views on how technology and innovation is helping governments to better engage potential SME suppliers, for the benefit of both parties Governments around the world are stepping…
Kazakhstan banks on small business digitalisation as engine of accelerated growth
The Republic of Kazakhstan is about the size of western Europe and stretches from the Caspian Sea in the south west to Russia in the north and China to the east, making it well positioned geographically to capitalise on the opportunities the digital economy presents. However, approximately half of Kazakhstan’s population of 19 million live…
Governments’ vital role to help small businesses flourish in a post-COVID world
Two things that united us during the pandemic were the recognition that small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, and our collective determination to keep them afloat. They are key to economic vitality – and must be at the center of strategies to jump-start national economies in the emerging post-COVID-19 economy. But in our…
Why and how governments should help small businesses to ‘build back better’
An international panel explored how governments have a key role to play in driving economic resilience and digitisation among small businesses during the unprecedented challenges brought about by the pandemic. Small businesses are being disproportionately impacted by the economic damage of COVID-19 – and governments should maintain momentum to help with their digitisation – according…
Mastercard Trust Center
The prevalence of cyberattacks as a threat for SMEs has grown significantly. With the new Mastercard Trust Center, governments can help SMEs stay secure online with free online access to trusted cybersecurity research, education, resources and tools. Help defend SMEs aganist cyberattacks, access the Mastercard Trust Center today.
Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs
Mastercard’s latest report reveals how the COVID-19 crisis could set back a generation of women in business and features top performing economies and case studies of how governments around the world are paving the way for women entrepreneurs and business owners to progress. Download the ‘Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs 2020 Report‘ to take decisive…
Mastercard Recovery Insights: Commerce
E-volution
e-Commerce has become a lifeline for retailers during the pandemic, with an additional $900 billion spent online globally. Mastercard’s latest report looks at how this digital momentum will shape commerce for small and large businesses in 2021 and beyond. Download the ‘Mastercard Recovery Insights: Commerce E-volution Report‘ to learn more about Covid-19’s impact on retail…
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Mastercard Small Businesses Research
Discover independent research reports, surveys and in-depth studies from Global Government Forum and knowledge partners, exploring the most important issues facing governments and the public sector. Our research provides practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for senior civil servants, policymakers and public sector leaders. Our reports combine exclusive survey data, expert analysis and interviews with government leaders from around the world to help public sector organisations improve performance, inform policy and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Empowering Public Servants to Make Confident, Informed Decisions with Data and AI
Governments around the world are working hard to extract – and act upon – the insights held in their vast data stores, and to embrace AI and the promise it holds for innovation and transformation. At the same time, economic pressures and constrained budgets are compelling public servants to do more with fewer resources, while governments are called to respond quickly and effectively to complex challenges.
Against this backdrop, data and AI can help those working in government both to streamline their workflows and make fast, informed decisions. This in turn drives efficiency and can unlock productivity gains – and ultimately lead to improved performance and better services for citizens.
Global Government Forum surveyed over 600 civil servants worldwide to understand how data and AI are being used in government decision-making and where there are further challenges and opportunities.
Read this report for insight into how governments are using data and AI in decision-making today and the potential for the future; the major challenges to using data and AI in decision-making and how to overcome them; and how AI agents can be used in decision-making.
The report includes examples of data and AI in decision-making from countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and more.
(Published September 2025)
Making Government Work: Five Pillars of a Modern, Effective Civil Service
Around the world, governments are dealing with substantial challenges – from economic stagnation to the transition to net zero, military conflicts and cyber threats. Governments are also grappling with shifting geopolitics and the rise of populism – and all of these factors are set against the emergence of new technologies, including generative AI, which have the potential to fundamentally transform every aspect of society, but which also pose huge ethical, security and regulatory questions for the public sector.
The Making Government Work: Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service report was undertaken to help identify the key characteristics needed in a modern public service, with priorities ranging across leadership, digital service delivery, workforce development, cross-departmental integration, and citizen trust.
This report has been covered by publications around the world including the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Ottawa Citizen, Fed Manager, the Mandarin and the i newspaper.
(Published August 2024)
The Future of the Finance Ministry
From setting tax rates and financial regulations that create the ground rules for national economies, to allocating – and tracking – spending for public services, finance ministries occupy an essential role at the centre of government. Geopolitical crises have reinforced the importance of finance ministries, as they tackle both immediate shocks and long-term trends such as ageing populations, the digital transition, and the impact of moves to net zero.
Against this backdrop, this global research explores what the future finance ministry looks like and how to prepare for it.
Based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries – led by John McCarthy, chief economist in Ireland’s Department of Finance, working with Ian Hall, editor, Global Government Finance, and Richard Johnstone, executive editor, Global Government Forum – the study identifies four key themes: the evolving role of the finance ministry in response to uncertainty; the shift to more flexible finance systems that support outcomes; digital transformation and the growth of AI; and the battle for talent and trust.
(Published May 2026)
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