INF/MSME/W/15  
 
15 October 2019  
(19-6671) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
GLOBAL TRADE HELPDES K ASSESSMENT IN PREP ARATION TOWARDS MC12  
The following document , dated 15 October  2019, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Switzerland . 
 
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 INF/MSME/W/15  
 
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Global Trade Helpdesk assessment in preparation towards MC12  
 
Data gaps  
 
Thanks to the efforts of the IWG, and the sources provided in the baseline survey, the Global Trade 
Helpdesk is improving its coverage of data for these countries in many respects. The Global Trade 
Helpdesk has integrated available data on trade flows, export potential calculations at the product -
market l evel, MFN and preferential tariffs, rules of origin, WTO SPS and TBT notifications, trade 
remedies, regulatory requirements, international standards, and information about trade finance 
and export promotion providers. Nevertheless, this data is not uniform ly covered across countries 
and products. The most prevalent gaps remain for company data and product -specific trade 
procedures, which rely primarily on country projects. To supplement this detailed information, we 
seek to provide horizontal information wh ere available at the country or sector level. Further 
information from national or regional sources would be of great interest. Furthermore, up -to-date 
information on non -tariff measures also continues to be another area that would benefit from more 
inputs  from national and regional sources. Where possible, additional information at the country 
level about national regulations, and the agencies, involved would also be extremely useful to 
providing a comprehensive tool. As a result of a fundraising gap, info rmation on market prices, 
taxes, laboratory mapping and Trademarks as well as the integration of information for services has 
been postponed to a second phase of the project, post MC12, pending available resources.  
Needs to operationalize GTH by June 2020  
 
The Beta version of the platform ( www.globaltradehelpdesk.org ) will continue to evolve towards 
June 2020 and beyond. The platform has launched a testing campaign to gauge its utility in meeting 
MSME user needs with platform users, selected chambers of commerce, companies in pilot countries, 
and the IWG. This feedback will help prioritize further refinement in preparation for the final platform 
launch. To optimize the quality of the platform, ITC needs  assistance in implementing the user 
campaign, continuing to fill the data gaps mentioned above, and to continue to integrate the data 
for voluntary standards, importing companies, and user features such as the user dashboard. With 
these features, user -friendly access, and the most complete country coverage of data possible, the 
Global Trade Helpdesk will be ready for launch at MC 12. Further development of the platform to 
provide customized features such as a user’s dashboard and an email alert system are planned to 
be developed by June 2020. The support of the IWG is key to develop the tool. This includes technical 
(e.g. participating to testing and data sharing), financial (e.g. financial support to translate of 
integrate new features/content) or politica l support (e.g. joint declaration at MC12).  
 
 
 
  
INF/MSME/W/15  
 
- 3 - Data currently integrated into GTH or in progress  
 
Module  Type of information  GTH Status  Coverage  Latest update  Frequency of 
update  
Explore  
Markets  Trade statistics  Integrated  232 countries  2016-2019 regular  
Export potential indicator  Integrated  225 countries  2019 regular  
Assess 
Requirements  Tariffs  Integrated  200 countries  2019 regular  
Non-Tariff Measures  Integrated  99 countries  2012-2018 regular  
Trade Remedies  Integrated  65/65 countries  2019 regular  
Rules of Origin  Integrated  124 countries  2019 regular  
Regulatory Changes (notifications)  Integrated  SPS & TBT  2019 regular  
International standards  Integrated  408 standards  2019 yearly  
Voluntary standards  Under dev.  200 standards  2019 yearly  
Navigate 
Procedures  Export procedures / guide*  Under dev.  22 countries  2019 regular  
Import procedures / guide*  Under dev.  22 countries  2019 regular  
Identify  
Partners  Trade Promotion Organizations  Integrated  124 countries.  2019 regular  
Trade Finance Providers  Integrated  122 countries  2019 regular  
Business directory*  Under dev.  133 countries  2019 yearly  
* Collected from country projects  
 
 
 
 
 
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