INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON MSMES  
DRAFT DECLARATION ON AD DRESSING THE TRADE -RELATED ASPECTS OF MSMES ' 
ACCESS TO FINANCE AND CROSS -BORDER PAYMENTS  
Communication from Côte d'Ivoire  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 2 October  2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Côte d'Ivoire.  
 
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Recalling  the Declaration on the Establishment of the WTO Informal Work P rogramme for MSMEs 
(WT/MIN(17)/58/Rev.1);  
 
Recognizing  that the participation of MSMEs in international trade contributes significantly to the 
socioeconomic development of developing countries, particularly the least developed countries 
(LDCs);  
 
Noting  that significant challenges associated with trade -related aspects of MSMEs ' access to finance 
and cross -border payments impede MSMEs' integration in international trade;  
 
Considering  that the bank penetration rate in developing countries and particu larly in LDCs is very 
low and, moreover, that finance for MSMEs by traditional operators (banks, investment funds and 
donors), in particular trade finance, is extremely difficult in developing countries and particularly in 
LDCs and impedes MSMEs' participa tion in international trade;  
 
Noting  that various means such as a global legal identification of companies or digitalization are 
available that can facilitate addressing the challenges associated with trade -related aspects of 
MSMEs ' access to finance;  
 
Acknowledging  that MSMEs are facing a range of other financial challenges to participate in 
international trade, such as issues related to cross -border payments;  
 
Noting  the severe impact that the Covid -19 pandemic has on MSMEs and the key role that addres sing 
the trade -related aspects of MSMEs ' access to finance and cross -border payments - among other 
necessary initiatives - plays in helping MSMEs face the trade -related challenges resulting from the 
pandemic;  
 
We, the members of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs , 
 
Call on  WTO Members to consider the trade -related aspects of MSMEs ' access to finance and 
cross-border payments  and to actively engage in relevant fora, such as the Informal Working Group 
on MSMEs in cooperation with relevant WTO bodies and rele vant multilateral institutions, to identify 
concrete measures that can facilitate addressing the challenges linked thereto with a view to promote 
their international diffusion, particularly through:  
   
  
INF/MSME/W/25/Rev.2  
 
2 October  2020 
(20-6708) Page: 1/2  
  Original : French  
INF/MSME/W/25/Rev.2  
- 2 - 
  • the exchange of best practices ; and 
• information -sharing on relevant technical assistance and capacity -building.  
Welcome  international initiatives aimed at facilitating adoption of a global legal identification system 
for companies such as the global Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) and invite WTO Members to cooper ate 
in such initiatives.  
 
Invite  the WTO Secretariat to organize, with the support of relevant international organizations, 
information sessions on topics related to trade -related aspects of MSMEs ' access to finance and 
cross-border payments including, for  example, the global Legal Entity Identifier (LEI), to inform 
reflections and potential actions of Members.  
 
Encourage  all WTO Members, in cooperation with other multilateral institutions, to consider the 
trade -related aspects of MSMEs ' access to finance a nd cross -border payments, taking into account 
the context of the economic recovery during and post -Covid -19, particularly, in the most affected 
developing countries and LDCs.  
 
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