INF/MSME/R/11  
 
11 November 2019  
(19-7662) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
OPEN -ENDED REGULAR M EETING OF 29 OCTOBER  2019 
Summary of discussions  
The following communication , dated 11 November  2019, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Uruguay.  
 
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The Informal Working Group on MSMEs (IWG) held its third open -ended regular meeting of the year 
on 29 October 2019. The meeting was chaired by H.E. M r José Lu ís Cancela Gómez , Ambassador of 
Uruguay, Coordinator of the IWG. As at past meetings, the Secretar iat was invited to sit on the 
podium. Members discussed various proposals received by the IWG as well as topics previously 
identified for consideration including: language of a recommendation to include voluntary 
MSME -related information in TPRs; developme nt of an online platform to help direct MSMEs towards 
relevant trade information; language of support for the Global Trade Helpdesk; language concerning 
good regulatory practices; MSME -friendly implementation of the TFA; and support for the 
implementation of the newly adopted IDB decision. Six external organizations presented their 
MSME -work to the IWG, including the World Customs Organization, the IFC, the ITC, the UPU, 
UNECE, and the Cyber Readiness Institute. Briefings were provided on the Working Group on Trade, 
Debt and Finance  (WGTDF) , as well as relevant work by the  Standards and Trade Development 
Facility  (STDF). 
 
1  THEMATIC WORK  
1.1  MSME related information in TPRs  
1.1.  The meeting began with a review of proposals received so far, starting with a revised propo sal 
by Canada (INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.1) concerning MSME -related information in TPRs, which 
incorporated comments made during small group meetings held following the June MSME 
open-ended meeting. Discussions focused on clarifications of certain terms and coverag e of the 
voluntary checklist.  
1.2  MSME platform proposal  
1.2.  Members were updated on the planned MSME -platform (INF/MSME/W/3/Rev.1). Mexico 
announced that TAF2+ will financially support this initiative through 2022 and will have completed 
the selection of an imple menting consulting firm by mid -November. Work on the development of an 
initial mock -up will then begin.  
1.3  Access to information: Global Trade Helpdesk  
1.3.  Following the MSME -platform, Switzerland presented its draft language on Access to 
Information (INF/MSME/W/ 11) in conjunction with an update on the Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH) 
by the ITC. The proposal, which calls on Members to support the GTH, was well received.  INF/MSME/R/11  
 
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  1.4  Trade facilitation  
1.4.  Members discussed suggested language on MSME -friendly implementation of the TFA 
submitted by the coordinator to kick -off discussions on this topic (INF/MSME/W/14). Members 
stressed the importance of trade facilitation for MSMEs. It was noted that careful consideration 
needed to be given regarding the best way to bring this issue to th e TF committee. Working in close 
coordination with the TF Committee was essential.  
1.5.  The Secretariat was asked to regularly update the synoptic table prepared for this meeting 
(INF/MSME/W/8).  
1.5  Good Regulatory Practice  
1.6.  The last proposal discussed was a suggest ed way forward on Good Regulatory Practices from 
Uruguay (INF/MSME/W/12). This document, which builds on previous discussions initiated by 
Canada on the Small Business Lens principle, outlines possible recommendations that could be 
developed to promote GRP  at the national and WTO levels. Members were generally supportive of 
this initiative.  
1.6  Implementation of the newly adopted IDB decision  
1.7.  Lastly, a communication (INF/MSME/W/10) and a presentation by the Secretariat detailing the 
new Market Access WTO Integrated Database (IDB) decision were presented to the IWG. The 
presentation stressed that Members could voluntarily enter into an agreement  with the Secretariat 
to enable their customs data to be uploaded to the Secretariat's database by digital connection. The 
more timely and better quality the data being provided to the Secretariat would enable the WTO to 
enhance the degree of access to inf ormation for MSMEs. The Group was invited to consider how it 
could support the implementation of this Decision.  
2  REVIEW OF MSME -RELAT ED DISCUSSIONS IN WT O COMMITTEES, WORKIN G GROUPS 
AND PROGRAMMES  
2.1.  Next, members were provided with an update on MSME -related w ork in the WGTDF and STDF. 
The Secretary of the WGTDF briefed the Group on the recent global trade finance gap study published 
by the Asian Development Bank, which shows that the trade finance gap is stable at USD1.5 trillion. 
Fifty per cent of MSMEs' trad e finance requests are rejected. The WTO Secretariat is also exploring 
with the Enhanced Integrated Framework the possibility of systematically including trade finance 
aspects in Diagnostic Trade Integration Studies (DTIS). A project had been presented to the EIF 
board that would cover six LDCs. The STDF described their current work to facilitate safe trade and 
SPS electronic certifications. Although not directly targeted to MSMEs, their work disproportionately 
benefits MSMEs, particularly for farmers in de veloping countries.  
3  REVIEW OF OUTREACH A CTIVITIES  
3.1  Outreach to other organizations  
3.1.  Six external presenters provided information on their relevant MSME work to the IWG. The 
World Customs Organization presented on AEO programmes and Single Windows, including the WCO 
SAFE Package to verify a national AEO programme has demonstrated customs compliance and the 
WCO Compendium on how to build a Single Window. Next were two presentations on supply chain 
finance (SCF), which can benefit MSMEs by providing small -suppli ers with upfront payment for 
exports based on the credit rating of the larger purchaser. The IFC first presented its work with 
financial institutions and regulators to advise and provide a framework for SME financing, including 
things such as collateral re gistries and e -invoicing. Following this, the ITC presented on how it helps 
to act as a gateway to MSME finance information and educate MSMEs on options like SCF through 
training and establishing de -risking alliances. The UPU presented on its MSME export f acilitation 
work through the postal system, including a pilot project called Easy Export in Tunisia that includes 
a single window for information and customs clearance. The UNECE provided information on its 
Integrated Services for MSMEs in International Tr ade (ISMIT), a conceptual framework that 
advocates for integrated, end -to-end trade services platforms for MSMEs that want to trade across 
borders, which could be connected to national single -windows. Finally, the Cyber Readiness Institute INF/MSME/R/11  
 
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  re-presented inf ormation from its March 2019 Workshop at the WTO detailing how MSME 
cybersecurity is essential, especially for supply chains, and noted that they provide a free online 
course for MSMEs which is available in multiple languages.  
4  NEXT STEPS  
4.1.  Looking towards MC 12, the Coordinator invited members to consider additional topics to be 
addressed by a Ministerial statement and suggested cyber readiness and the inclusion of firm -size 
characteristics in trade statistics/support for the OECD TiVA database as two topics t he IWG should 
consider. Additionally, the Coordinator noted that members should determine areas they would like 
to include for a future work programme. The Coordinator invited members to meet and work on the 
presented proposals over the coming weeks.  
4.2.  Two m eetings are scheduled for the remainder of the year. The next regular meeting will be 
the end of the session for the IWG and will take place on 27 November 2019. An additional informal 
meeting will take place on 12 or 13 December 2019 to review the complet e package of proposals as 
well as the draft Ministerial Declaration.  
 
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