INF/MSME/W/21  
 
13 November 2019  
(19-7741) Page: 1/2 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
DRAFT MINISTERIAL DE CISION ON MICRO, SMA LL AND  
MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ( MSMES)  
The following communication, dated 13 November 2019, is being circulated at the request of the 
Coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs.  
 
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The Ministerial Conference , 
 
Acknowledging  that the participation of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in 
international trade is an important issue in the WTO agenda;  
 
Recognizing  that MSMEs perform a significant role in  the economic development of WTO Members, 
as sources of job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth;  
 
Reaffirming  our pledge to favour horizontal and non -discriminatory solutions that are likely to yield 
benefits for the participation of  MSMEs in international trade;  
 
Recognizing  that MSMEs from developing countries and especially from the least developed countries 
face additional obstacles when participating in international trade;  
 
Building  on the work undertaken by the WTO in addressin g trade issues that represent a significant 
burden for MSMEs interested in participating in international trade and the relevant work of other 
international organizations;  
 
Taking note  of the work done by the WTO MSME Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) since  the 11th WTO 
Ministerial Conference that took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December 2017;  
 
Decides as follows:  
 
1  ARTICLE 1 – RECOMMENDATIONS [AN D DECISIONS]  
1.1.  We are pleased to endorse the following recommendations and decisions taken by the MSME 
JSI: 
a) Recommendation of the MSME JSI on the Collection and Maintenance of MSME -Related 
Information in TPRs [Annex I];  
b) Decision of the MSME JSI to establish a WTO MSME Web Platform [Annex II];  
c) Recommendation of the MSME JSI to support MSME Access to Information and the 
Global Trade Helpdesk [Annex III];  
d) Recommendation of the MSME JSI on the promotion of predictable regulatory 
environment for MSMEs [Annex IV] . INF/MSME/W/21  
 
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  2  ARTICLE 2 – WORK PROGRAMME  
2.1.  We adopt a Work Programme, which shall include, among others, t he following issues : [to be 
developed following the 27 November meeting].  
3  ARTICLE 3 – STRUCTURE  
3.1.  We establish a MSME Working Group to conduct discussions on issues covered by the work 
programme.  
3.2.  The Working Group shall report to the WTO General Council and inform other relevant WTO 
bodies about its work. The Working Group shall meet at least once a year and take decisions by 
consensus.  
3.3.  The Working Group shall promote an effective coordination and information exchange with the 
other WTO regular working bodies  on MSMEs related issues.  
3.4.  The General Council will review the progress made by the Working Group at least once a year. 
In providing guidance to the Working Group, the General Council may also supplement the issues 
set forth in Article 2.  
3.5.  The Working Group may invite representatives of other relevant organization s to attend 
meetings of the Committee as observers.  
3.6.  The Working Group shall meet periodically with the private sector to discuss matters related to 
the implementation of this Decision.  
3.7.  The Working Gr oup will prepare a report for the Thirteenth Ministerial Conference.  
 
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