Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSME) Day

Trade connectivity is critical for economic growth, inclusiveness and sustainable development. Physical connectivity enables the movement of goods and services to local and global markets while digital connectivity is vital in today’s trade environment. Yet, the Internet remains inaccessible for 3.9 billion people globally, many of whom live in the least-developed countries. This report describes how digital connectivity helps connect MSMEs to international trade opportunities and how Aid for Trade addresses digital connectivity barriers . Download by chapter Foreword and Executive Summary Chapter 1 : Overview Chapter 2: Setting the scene Chapter 3: Digital connectivity and trade logistics Chapter 4: The contribution of services trade policies Chapter 5: Spanning the Internet divide to drive development Chapter 6: Improving the e-trade environment Chapter 7: Harnessing e-commerce for sustainable development Chapter 8: Closing the small business and gender gap Chapter 9: Promoting tra...

The 2016 61st World Congress at the United Nations, held in New York City, marked an extraordinary event. It was there that the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) created a business panel made up of seven small business government ministers from six different continents who represented billions of people around the globe. This inaugural event welcomed by the United Nations ECOSOC Council under its leadership of Ambassador Oh Joon for ICSB was co-chaired by the Honorable Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator, United States Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Honorable Dr. Young-Sup Joo, Administrator, Republic of Korea, Small and Medium Business Administration (SMBA). Speakers from around the world were asked to share their understanding of the obstacles and challenges that entrepreneurs and small business owners face in their respective countries. Moderated by Dr. Winslow Sargeant, 6th Chief Counsel of the the United States Small Business Office of Advocary, reques...

On April 6, 2017, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution recognizing the crucial role Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) play in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution (A/71/279) designates June 27 as “ Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Day .” With support from ICSB, the Permanent Mission of Argentina to the UN authored the resolution that was presented to and negotiated with all UN member states. The resolution was co-sponsored by 54 member states, representing over 5 billion people. Since the adoption of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals Agenda, all countries have been working for its implementation, which aims to ensure that every actor can contribute in the best possible way.

This ITC-WTO report explores constraints faced by exporting MSMEs in 23 least developed countries, and how Aid for Trade initiatives address these challenges for MSMEs.  Find out more