INF/MSME/W/7  
 
7 August 2019  
(19-5173) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
DRAFT RECOMMENDATION  ON THE COLLECTION A ND  
MAINTENANCE OF MSME -RELATED INFORMATION  
Communication from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Russian Federation and Uruguay  
The following communication, dated 7 August 2019, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Russian Federation and Uruguay.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Recalling  the Declaration on the Establishment of a WTO Info rmal Work Program me for MSMEs 
(WT/MIN(17)/58);  
 
Recognizing  that information on and of particular interest to MSMEs is not systematically considered 
in WTO Trade Policy Reviews;  
 
Desiring to support the WTO Secretariat in its regular work on trade policy r eviews;  
 
Noting  the discussions by the MSME Informal Working Group of information of particular interest to 
MSMEs that could be included in WTO Trade Policy reports;  
 
Seeking  to ensure that such information is collected and catalogued for ongoing use and r eference; 
and 
 
Acknowledging  that the provision of such information is voluntary;  
 
Recommends  that: 
 
1. All WTO Members voluntarily provide during their trade policy review process, to the extent it 
is readily available, the MSME -related information contai ned in the checklist in Annex 1. Members 
are encouraged to provide additional information not included in the checklist, as appropriate.  
 
2. Members provide such information either in their own Government Reports, by asking the 
Secretariat to request the i nformation for inclusion in its Reports, or a combination of both.  
 
3. In drafting its Government Report, the Member includes the MSME -related information in a 
dedicated section of the report as well as in other relevant sections, as appropriate.  
 
4. If a Member asks the Secretariat to request MSME -related information for inclusion in the 
Secretariat Report, the Secretariat is encouraged to include it in a dedicated section as well as in 
other relevant sections, as appropriate.  
 
5. Members whose trade policy reviews will not occur within [three] years of the adoption of this 
recommendation, or Members who do not wish to provide through their trade policy review process 
the MSME -related information included in the checklist contained in Annex 1, are encouraged to 
voluntarily provide it, to the extent it is readily available, directly to the Informal Working Group 
within [three] years of the adoption of this recommendation.  
 INF/MSME/W/7  
 
- 2 - 
 
  6. The WTO Secretariat establish and maintain a database of the i nformation collected or 
provided by Members in order to: (i) provide Members with an overview of MSME -related 
information; (ii) support an exchange of information between Members; and (iii) inform analysis and 
discussions of MSME -related agenda items in WT O Councils and Committees.  
 
 
_______________  
 
 
 
  INF/MSME/W/7  
 
- 3 - 
 
  ANNEX 1  
CHECKLIST OF MSME -RELATED INFORMATION TO  INCLUDE  
IN WTO TRADE POL ICY REVIEWS  
 
Background information  
 
1. How MSMEs are defined for the purposes of statistical and policy analysis.  
  
2. Available statistics on the role of MSMEs in the economy and their participation in 
international trade; any identifiable trends. This information could include: (i) total  
number of MSMEs; (ii) percentage of businesses that are MSMEs; (iii) employment 
profile of MSMEs, e.g. percentage of total employment generated by MSMEs; (iv) 
export and imports by MSMEs, e.g. percentage of all exports and imports for MSMEs, 
total number of MSMEs that are exporting and importing.  
  
3. Available statistics on MSME ownersh ip by diverse groups (e.g., women, youth, 
minority populations, etc.).  
  
 
 
Marketplace Framework  
 
1. Specific references, if any, to MSMEs in the domestic marketplace framework (i.e., 
legislative and regulatory regime).  
  
2. Consultation mechanisms, if any, for MSMEs to provide feedback on new or revised 
legislation and regulations.  
  
3. Processes implemented, if any, to review new legislation or regulations in relation to 
their effects on MSMEs.  
  
4. Procedures, if any, to support MSMEs ' compliance with new regulatory or legislative 
requirements.  
  
 
 
Government Programs and Policies  
 
1. Targeted support programs and/or policies, if any, to help MSMEs grow domestically 
and/or export internationally. This could include supports for SMEs to increase their 
competitiveness, innovation or digital capabilities.  
  
2. General programs, if any, that provide financial support to scale -up or export and are 
accessible by MSMEs.  
  
3. Provisions in Regional Trade Agreements, if any, to support MSMEs in cross -border 
trade, e.g. cooperation, investment.  
  
4. Collaborative engagement with other countries that support MSMEs, e.g. international 
cooperation efforts on standardization to reduce regulatory burden across 
jurisdictions.  
  
 
 
__________