INF/MSME/R/13  
 
5 December  2019 
(19-8390) Page: 1/4 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
2019 ANNUAL REPORT  
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  On 13 December 2017, at the 11th Ministerial Conference (MC11), 88 WTO Members 
representing all major regions and levels of development established the Informal Working Group 
on MSMEs (WT/MIN(17)/58/Rev.1).1 In their Joint Statement, the "Friends of MSMEs" committed to 
discuss and identi fy "horizontal and non -discriminatory solutions" to improve the participation of 
MSMEs in international trade while taking into account the specific needs of developing countries.  
1.2.  This report describes the activities of the Group in 2019. The Group now co nsists of 9 1 WTO 
Members2 and is chaired by H.E. Mr José Luís Cancela  Gómez , Coordinator and Ambassador of 
Uruguay  to the WTO . 
2  OPEN -ENDED MEETINGS HELD BY THE MSME INF ORMAL WORKING GROUP DURING 
2019  
2.1.  The Group held four open -ended meetings during 2019, the first on 22 February, followed by 
28 June, 29 October, and 27 November. Work focused on developing concrete outcomes and 
proposals in the lead up to MC12.  
2.2.  On 22 February 2019, the Group held its first open -ended regular meeting of the year (see 
document I NF/MSME/R/9 for a summary of discussions). Members discussed two proposals – one 
co-sponsored by Canada, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay regarding the voluntary inclusion of MSME 
information in TPR Government reports (INF/MSME/W/1/Rev.1) and the other propos ed by Mexico 
on developing a public webpage to consolidate and disseminate the MSME knowledge acquired by 
the Group. Switzerland and the ITC updated the Group on the latest developments on the Global  
initiative with the Group. The OECD also presented on th e WTO -OECD Trade in Value Added (TiVA) 
database – an analytical tool for GVCs which now aims to include firm size characteristics to better 
reflect MSMEs' participation in international trade. In addition, the Working Group on Trade Debt 
and Finance (WGTDF ), the TRIPS Council, Aid for Trade (A fT), the Enhanced Integrated Framework 
(EIF) and the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) also updated the Group on their 
MSME -related discussions within the organization.  
2.3.  On 28 June 2019, the Group held its  second open -ended regular meeting where various 
proposals from MSME -IWG Members and the general progress of the Group were discussed (see 
document INF/MSME/R/10 for a summary of discussions). The meeting began with Canada's revised 
proposal on improving t he collection of MSME -related information in TPRs, together with Argentina, 
Brazil, the Russian Federation and Uruguay as co -sponsors (INF/MSME/W/1/Rev.2). It was agreed 
                                                
1 Members of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs are: Afghanistan; Albania; Antigua and Barbuda; 
Argentina; Australia; Bahrain, Kingdom of ; Belize; Brazil; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; 
Costa Rica; Côte d'Ivoire; Dominica; Dominican Rep ublic; Ecuador; El Salvador; European Union and its 
28 Member States; Grenada; Guatemala; Guyana; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Israel; Japan; 
Kazakhstan; Kenya; Korea, Republic of ; Kyrgyz Republic; Lao PDR; Liechtenstein; Malaysia; Mexico; Moldova,  
Republic of ; Montenegro; Myanmar; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Nigeria; North Macedonia; Norway; Pakistan; 
Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Qatar; Russian Federation; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Singapore; Switzerl and; Chinese Taipei; Turkey; Uruguay and Viet Nam.  
2 Armenia , Mongolia  and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia joined the Informal Working Group on MSMEs on 
30 November 2018 , 8 May 2019 and 27 November 2019 respectively . INF/MSME/R/13  
 
- 2 - 
 
  that the Group would move forward with voluntary and flexible principles for addressin g MSMEs 
more systematically in TPRs, with the development of a checklist that members can follow to make 
sure they include relevant MSME information in their Government report or in the documentation 
they submit to the Secretariat in preparation for the TP R Secretariat report. The establishment of a 
searchable database of past MSME TPR references was also proposed. Mexico then presented a 
proposal, co -sponsored by Guatemala and Uruguay, to create an online platform that would provide 
information and links t o useful resources to help MSMEs participate in international trade 
(INF/MSME/W/3 /Rev.1 ). The platform proposal includes one section for MSMEs and one section for 
policy makers with information on best practices, national support programs, and MSME -related  
databases from various sources. The European Union  and the Russian Federation then shared with 
the Group their national experiences in designing and implementing good regulatory practices for 
MSMEs. A brief update of the Global Trade Helpdesk was given by  Switzerland and the ITC. The 
Russian Federation later presented a proposal on enhancing transparency in applied tariffs to the 
Group, a proposal that was also raised in the context of the Committee on Market Access and the 
Committee on Agriculture (JOB/MA /138 and JOB/AG/15).  
2.4.  The Group also heard presentations on MSME -related work and discussions in other WTO 
committees and working groups. The Secretary of the Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance 
(WGTDF) briefed the Group on work ongoing with multilater al development banks to help reduce 
the trade finance gap for MSMEs. The Chair of the Government Procurement (GPA) Committee, 
Mr Carlos Vanderloo of Canada, presented the Committee's work programme on MSMEs, which looks 
to support MSME tenders for governme nt procurement by reducing document complexity or 
qualification requirements and making information available online, and the Technical Barriers to 
Trade (TBT) Committee shared updates on transparency discussions in the Committee, as well as 
efforts to ale rt sectoral associations of upcoming TBT changes to make business, including SMEs, 
aware of potential impacts. Finally, representatives from the OECD, the International 
Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Global Trade Professionals Alliance (GTPA) briefe d the Group 
regarding their MSME -related studies and findings and called for support from the Group.  
2.5.  On 29 October 2019, the Group held its third open -ended regular meeting and was chaired by 
H.E. Mr José Luís Cancela Gómez , Coordinator and Ambassador of U ruguay (see document 
INF/MSME/R/ 11 for a summary of discussions). The meeting began with a review of MC12 proposals 
received so far, starting with the revised proposal on MSME -related information in TPRs co -sponsored 
by Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Co lombia, the Russian Federation and Uruguay 
(INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.1). Members were also updated on the MSME -platform to be developed for the 
WTO webpage (INF/MSME/W/3/Rev.1) and Mexico announced that TAF2+ will support this initiative 
through 2022. Further, TAF 2+ will have completed the selection of an implementing consulting firm 
by mid -November. Switzerland presented its draft language on Access to Information 
(INF/MSME/W/11) in conjunction with an update on the Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH) by the ITC, 
and Urug uay shared their proposal on a suggested way forward regarding Good Regulatory Practices 
(INF/MSME/W/12). The Coordinator also provided suggested language on MSME -friendly 
implementation of the TFA (INF/MSME/W/14). A communication (INF/MSME/W/10) and a 
presentation by the Secretariat detailing the new Market Access WTO Integrated Database (IDB) 
decision were presented to the Group with a view to initiating discussions on how the Group could 
support implementation of this Decision.  
2.6.  Representatives from the W GTDF and STDF updated the Group on their MSME -related work, 
followed by six additional external presenters from the World Customs Organization (WCO), the IFC, 
the ITC, the UPU, UN/CEFACT and the Cyber Readiness Institute. The WCO presented on AEO 
programme s and Single Windows, including the WCO SAFE Package to verify a national AEO 
programme has demonstrated customs compliance and the WCO Compendium on how to build a 
Single Window. The IFC and ITC both briefed the Group on supply chain finance for MSMEs. 
UN/CEFACT provided information on Integrated Services for MSMEs in International Trade (ISMIT), 
which are offered by the private sector or a PPP and often serve to re -package a trade Single Window 
in a more MSME -friendly way as well as coordinate additional trade service offerings such as 
financing. Finally, the Cyber Readiness Institute re -presented information from its March 2019 
Workshop at the WTO detailing how MSME cybersecurity is essential, especially for supply chains.  It 
was agreed that the Group will develop draft language and a preliminary list of topics for a work 
programme in the lead up to MC12.  
2.7.  The fourth open -ended meeting of the Group took place on 27 November 2019 to approve the 
annual report, discuss draft lang uage on a possible ministerial decision  for MC12 , and agree on the INF/MSME/R/13  
 
- 3 - 
 
  calendar of meetings for 2020 as well as the organization of work in the lead up to MC12  
(INF/MSME/R/12) . An additional informal meeting to review ministerial language proposals for MC12 
is also scheduled for  12-13 December 2019.  A workshop co -organized by the International Chamber 
of Commerce (ICC) and Global Trade Solutions (GTS) on "Trade enablement of SMEs through the 
use of Technology" was held on the fringes of the meeting to illustrat e how technology in various 
forms can be utilized cost effectively to assist MSMEs in participating in international trade.  
2.8.  Since the first open -ended meeting of the year, interested Members also consistently met in 
an informal format to discuss the detail s of various proposals raised by co -sponsors, including the 
proposals on MSME -related information in TPRs led by Canada (INF/MSME/W/1/Rev. 2 and 
INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.1)  and the MSMEs web platform proposal led by Mexico 
(INF/MSME/W/3/Rev.1) . 
2.9.  Finally, Mongolia  and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were  welcomed as the 90th and 91st 
members of the MSME Informal Working Group on 10 May 2019  and 27 November 2019 , 
respectively .  
3  OTHER ACTIVITIES  
3.1  Workshops  
3.1.  Besides regular open -ended meetings, the Group also hosted two worksh ops (27 March to 
discuss cybersecurity and 27 June to celebrate MSME day as well as discuss trade facilitation for 
small businesses), supported a workshop organized by Romania concerning MSMEs and the digital 
economy on 16 May, co -hosted a presentation of the GTH with the ITC at the public forum on 
4 September and participated in a workshop organized by the Trade Facilitation Committee on 
14 October. Further detail of these events is provided below.  
3.2.  On 27 March 2019, the Group hosted a workshop on cybersecu rity and invited 
Ms Jennifer  Brant, Director of The Cyber Readiness Institute to present an online capacity building 
initiative they developed for MSMEs. Their initiative offers free cyber readiness technology solutions 
and training programmes for MSMEs to secure their businesses and improve competitiveness in 
global value chains. Members expressed strong interest in the initiative and were encouraged to 
create a global network for MSME cybersecurity through collaboration and partnerships.  
3.3.  On 16 May  2019, the Romanian delegation hosted a workshop on the topic of "SMEs' 
digitalization and global e -commerce" and invited speakers from both public and private sectors to 
share their views. H.E. Mr Marc Vanheukelen, Ambassador  of EU  to the WTO, 
H.E. Mr José Luís Cancela Gómez , Ambassador of Uruguay, H.E. Ms Frances Lisson, Ambassador of 
Australia to the WTO, and Ms Dorothy Ng’ambi Tembo, ITC Deputy Executive Director, spoke on the 
linkage of MSMEs and digitalization and their ongoing work on MSMEs and e -commerce. 
Ms Lucia Cusmano from the OECD and Mr Vijay Raju of the World Economic Forum discussed digital 
changes to the economy and their implications, both challenges and opportunities, for MSMEs. 
Mr Oleg Roibu, from eMag, and Ms Magdalena Piech, from Allegr o, shared views from the private 
sector by describing their e -commerce platforms and the services that they provide to MSMEs, such 
as payment systems and delivery options.  
3.4.  On 27 June 2019, to celebrate the United Nations' Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise  (MSME) 
Day, the Group hosted a series of events on addressing issues relevant to MSMEs in cooperation 
with various partners. The Group co -organized a workshop on trade facilitation in the morning with 
the United Kingdom's Federation of Small Businesses (F SB). Mr Mike Cherry, National Chairman of 
FSB, Mr Jalal Benhayoun, Director General of Morocco's Portnet Public Limited Company, 
Mr Andrew  Staines, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to 
the UN and the WTO, and Mr James Sib ley, Deputy Head of EU and International Affairs of FSB spoke 
on the panel and discussed methods and recommendations to reduce administrative burdens for 
MSMEs as well as improve Members' customs capacity. During the afternoon session, the ITC 
launched the  SME Competitiveness Outlook 2019: Big Money for Small Business, Financing the 
Sustainable Development Goals. The third edition of the report highlighted the lack of scalable 
investment projects, non -transparent investment processes, misguided perceptions of the risks and 
the lack of knowledge about enterprise capacities as the main factors that hold back financiers 
investing into MSMEs.  INF/MSME/R/13  
 
- 4 - 
 
  3.5.  During the WTO's Public Forum, the Group and the ITC co -hosted a panel discussion titled 
"Trade Intelligence of MSMEs: Gl obal Trade Helpdesk (GTH)" on 4 October 2019. 
H.E. Mr José Luís Cancela  Gómez , Coordinator of the Group and Ambassador of Uruguay moderated 
the session with panellists including Ms Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director of the ITC, 
Mr Marco  Mtunga from t he Tanzania Cotton Board, Ms Rupa Ganguli of InclusiveTrade.com, 
H.E. Mr Didier Chambovey, Ambassador of Switzerland to the WTO and Mr Mathieu Loridan of the 
ITC. The panel discussed the importance of access to comprehensive and timely market information 
for MSMEs with the necessary assistance to ensure MSMEs could make the most of tools such as the 
GTH. A new beta version of the Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH), including more complete and 
accessible information for MSME users, was demonstrated at the end of th e session and received 
positive feedbacks from the audience ( www.globaltradehelpdesk.org ). The new version will be 
launched at MC12 with four modules and four language options.  
3.6.  On 14 October 2019, the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility (TFAT) hosted a workshop 
on the Margins of the Trade Facilitation Committee Meeting and invited the Group to share views on 
the TFA legislative and policy considerations session from MSMEs' perspective. 
Ms Emmanuelle  Ganne from the WTO Secretariat spoke as panellist on behalf of the Coordinator of 
the Group and shared the Group's commitment  to work through existing committees in order to 
leverage expertise for MSMEs and encouraged Members to explore possible trade facil itation 
provisions as well as exchange good practices to ensure MSME -friendly TFA implementation.  
3.2  Other activities  
3.7.  Besides these workshops, on 12 -14 June 2019, H.E. Mr José Luís Cancela Gómez was also 
invited to participate, in his capacity as the Coordina tor of the Group, in the 11th World Chambers 
Congress in Rio de Janeiro. A meeting was held on the sidelines with representatives of the Group 
and business representatives to discuss on work ongoing at the WTO, as well as to exchange views 
about concrete m easures that Members could take at the WTO to support MSMEs. At this event, the 
"MSME Ideas Exchange" platform, an online tool initiated by the Group to reach out to the private 
sector and hosted by the International Chamber of Commerce, was launched to se rve as a direct 
communication channel between the Group and businesses.  
3.8.  Additionally, the Group issued three Newsletters to interested external recipients over 2019. A 
new "MSME Voices" section was introduced to capture ideas and recommendations from inspi ring 
MSME leaders who the Group has met in previous meetings and workshops. Circulation of the 
Newsletter was also expanded to increase communications between the Group and the private 
sector.  
3.9.  Lastly of note, several background documents on various MSME -related issues were prepared 
by the Secretariat at the request of the Group to support discussions, including notes on " de minimis  
level" (INF/MSME/W/4), "MSME -related language in Regional Trade Agreements" 
(INF/MSME/W/6 /Rev.1 ), "Trade Facilitation Agreement provisions, MSMEs' pain points, 
recommendations and good practices" (INF/MSME/W/8) as well as "Good Regulatory Practices and 
Small Business Lens Principle" (INF/MSME/W/9). Further, a "Small and Medium -Sized Enterprises 
(SMEs)" search  criteria option is now available in the WTO Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) 
Database base on the analysis on MSME -related languages done by the WTO Secretariat MSME team 
at the request of the Group.  
4  CONCLUSION  
4.1.  The Informal Working Group adopted the prese nt Annual Report (2019) at its 
27 November  2019 open -ended meeting.  
 
__________