INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.5  
 
1 October  2020 
(20-6681) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON MSMES  
DRAFT RECOMMENDATION ON THE COLLECTION AND  
MAINTENANCE OF MSME -RELATED INFORMATION  
Communication from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand,  
Paraguay, the Russian Federation , Switzerland  and Uruguay  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 1 October  2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, New  Zealand, Paraguay, the 
Russian  Federation, Swit zerland and Uruguay . 
 
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Recalling  the Declaration on the Establishment of a WTO Informal Work Programme for MSMEs 
(WT/MIN(17)/58);  
 
Desiring to support the WTO Secretariat in its regular work on trade policy reviews;  
 
Noting  the discussions  by the MSME Informal Working Group of information of particular interest to 
MSMEs that could be included in WTO Trade Policy Reviews ; 
 
Seeking  to ensure that such information is systematically collected and catalogued for ongoing use 
and reference; and  
 
Acknowledging  that the provision of such information is on a voluntary  basis and subject to the 
availability of data ; 
 
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 contained in the checklist in Annex  1. Members 
are encouraged to provide additional information not included in the checklist, as appropriate.  
 
2. Members  voluntarily  provide such information either in their ow n Government Reports, or in 
the Secretariat Report  by asking the Secretariat to request the information for inclusion, or a 
combination of both.  
 
3. In drafting its Government Report, the Member voluntarily includes the MSME -related 
information in a dedica ted section of the report or 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 or 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 wish to provide the MSME -related information included in the INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.5  
 
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  checklist contained in  Annex  1 separately from the trade policy review process , 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.  
 
6. Members that ex perience difficulties collecting MSME -related information they wish to provide 
in support of this recommendation consider, as appropriate and on a voluntary basis, requesting 
technical assistance from the WTO Secretariat to this end.  
 
7. The WTO Secretaria t establish and maintain a database of the information 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 WTO Councils and Committees.  
 
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  INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.5  
 
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  ANNEX 1  
CHECKLIST OF MSME -RELATED INFORMATION TO VOLUNTARILY INCLUDE  
IN WTO TRADE POLICY 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 , disaggregated to the 
extent it is readily available,  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) contribution of MSMEs to gross domestic 
product; and (v) 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 (overall or by sector) on MSME ownership by diverse groups 
(e.g.,  women, youth , 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 input to and comment 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  and assistance , if any, to support MSMEs' compliance with new regulatory 
or legislative requi rements.  
  
 
 
Government Programs and Policies  
 
1. General programs or policies, if any, that seek to address challenges faced by MSMEs 
to their integration into international trade.  
  
2. Provisions in Regional Trade Agreements, if any, to support MSMEs in cross -border 
trade, e.g. cooperation, investment.  
  
3. Collaborative engagement with other countries that support MSMEs, e.g. international 
cooperation efforts on standardization to reduce regulatory burden across 
jurisdictions.  
  
 
 
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