INF/MSME/W/3  
 
4 June 2019  
(19-3828) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
MSMES PLATFORM DRAFT  PROPOSAL  
The following communication , dated 2 June 2019 , is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Mexico . 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  Whether in a developed or developing country, Micro , Small and Medium -Sized  Enterprises 
(MSMEs) are important contributors to economic activity and the generation of employment. 
Recognizing that fundamental role in any country’s economy, the Informal Working Group on MSMEs 
(hereinafter the Group) has carried out a variety of events, workshops, studies and meetings 
discussing the future and way forward for supporting the participation of MSMEs in global markets.  
2  THE PROPOSAL  
2.1.  Aligned with the current agenda of the Group, the co -sponsors would like to pro pose the 
creation of an online Platform with the objective of supporting MSMEs navigate through the 
ever-competitive international environment. The idea is to gather in one place a wide variety of 
information and useful resources that would : a) support the  participation of MSMEs into international 
trade and promote their economic growth; b) provide policymakers with ideas, examples of best 
practices and provisions included in Regional Trade Agreements to serve as a guide for governments 
interested in suppor ting their MSMEs; c) help future delegates to get an insight of the information 
already generated; and d) inform future discussions on MSMEs in the different WTO bodies.  
2.2.  The MSME section would include segments such as:  
a) MSME Challenges and Strategies  – Overview of challenges based on the Working Group’s 
thematic sessions and MSMEs best practices.  
b) Studies and Statistics on MSMEs  – Compilation and summary of useful information from 
international organizations and other institutions.  
c) Conferences and Wo rkshops  – Links to live streaming of useful MSMEs workshops held by the 
group; calendar of upcoming workshops and seminars; recordings of workshops on file.  
d) National support programs  – Mapping of national support programs made available for MSMEs.  
e) Useful resources  – Links to Global Trade Helpdesk and other platforms with practical 
information and networking.  
f) Surveys and business dialogue forums – to capture feedback and information directly from 
MSMEs, and to achieve a more direct dialogue between the WTO and MSMEs around the world.  INF/MSME/W/3  
 
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  2.3.  The Policymaker section would include segments such as:  
a) Studies and Statistics on MSMEs  – Compilation and summary of useful information from other 
international organizations and institutions.  
b) Best Practices  – List and explanation of government best practices for helping MSMEs.  
c) National Support Programs  – Mapping of national support programs made available for policy 
makers that will serve as a guide to governments interested in supporting their MSMEs.  
d) Compilation of MSME -related provisions contained in Regional Trade Agreements.  
e) Database with an overview of MSME -related information in TPRs.  
3  VALUE OF A WTO MSMES  PLATFORM  
3.1.  There are many pages that support MSMEs on the web. However, this platform can add value 
for several reasons:  
a) Information tends to be very dispersed. This platform would concentrate information and 
guide MSMEs to different helpful sources in a single platform.  
b) The WTO has more visibility than many other institutions/organizations, both public and 
private, national and international, so the information could potentially reach a greater number 
of MSMEs throughout many countries.  
c) It would be a proactive way of working towards the Group’s main objective of supporting and 
benefitting MSMEs.  
d) Establishing a more direct connection with MSMEs and collecting direct information would 
better inform the Group’s discussions.  
e) It would help improve the image of the WTO as caring for all enterprises and not just 
transnationals and large comp anies. 
4  ADMINISTRATION  
4.1.  This platform would not duplicate information and tools contained in other important and useful 
platforms such as the Global Trade Helpdesk, rather, it would complement them and promote them 
with direct links.  
4.2.  It is important to note that members of the Group would define and request all 
content and its presentation.  
4.3.  The Group would be in charge of updating the platform. In this process, the Group could request 
the help of the Secretariat.  
5  FINANCING  
5.1.  The co -sponsors have reached out to the UK Government’s Trade and Investment Advocacy 
Fund (TAF2+), which provides demand -led assistance to developing countries for participation in 
international trade and investment negotiations. TAF2+ has preliminarily offered (still subject to final 
appro val) to finance work on the platform through one of their consulting firms. The support 
envisaged could potentially include the development of the platform, as well as mechanisms for its 
sustained maintenance, and the development of a communications strate gy to support buy -in from 
other members and uptake after its launch. The support is being requested by members of the Group 
(not the Secretariat) and will not include monetary funds, but rather work done by the consulting 
firm hired directly by TAF2+.  INF/MSME/W/3  
 
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  5.2.  The support of TAF2+ would be strictly on researching, summarizing, designing, and any other 
thing the Group asks them to develop. They will not be creating any content on their own. What 
goes on the platform will always be the decision of the Group.  
5.3.  TAF2+ wou ld offer support through 2022. After that, should the platform need more funding 
to keep it updated, the Group would have to seek support from future funds.  
6  TIMEFRAME  
6.1.  The co -sponsors are hoping to get approval from the Group by the next MSMEs meeting on 
28 June. Upon approval, work on content, curation of links, and development/design would begin 
with the goal of launching the platform at MC12 (June 2020).  
 
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