WT/GC/W/708  
 
19 November 2015  
(15-6141)  Page: 1/2  
General Council 
30 November - 1 December 2015  Original: English  
 
 FOSTERING THE PARTICIPATION OF MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES 
(MSMES) IN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL MARKETS 
COMMUNICATION FROM BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, LAO PDR, MALAYSIA, AND THE PHILIPPINES 
The following communication, dated 19 November 2015, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegations of Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and the Philippines. 
 
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1.1.  Further to WT/GC/W/702, the co-sponsors have the pleasure of submitting a revised draft Ministerial Decision on strengthening WTO’s work towards fostering the participation of micro, 
small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in regional and global markets. 
1.2.  As outlined in JOB/GC/80 and WT/GC/W/702, MSMEs have an important role in the 
performance of national economies, and inclusive and sustainable economic growth, particularly 
for developing and least-developed countries.   
1.3.  While discussions and initiatives on aspect s relating to MSMEs have been undertaken by 
relevant WTO committees as well as other international organizations, a stocktake of initiatives indicate that (1) a critical element in the sector is often not specifically recognized – that is micro 
enterprises; (2) there are cross-cutting issues that  affect the integration of MSMEs in regional and 
global markets; and (3) the discussions are currently sporadic and diffused. 
1.4.  It is this context that the proponents put forward the proposal for consideration by the 
General Council (GC), as an expansion of the scope of the regular work of WTO to cover initiatives 
to raise the profile of MSMEs as actors of global trade and enable the membership to have a more sustained discussion on how the WTO multilateral trading system impact and benefit MSMEs, with 
particular consideration to the needs and interests of developing and least-developed countries.  
Such discussions shall be without prejudice to Members’ rights and obligations under the WTO 
Agreement and its Annexes. 
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 WT/GC/W/708 
 
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  FOSTERING THE PARTICIPATION OF MICRO, SMALL, AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES 
(MSMES) IN REGIONAL AND GLOBAL MARKETS 
DRAFT MINISTERIAL DECISION OF 15 DECEMBER 2015 
The Ministerial Conference, 
 
Noting that paragraph 1 of Article III of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the WTO provides 
that one of the functions of the WTO is to further the objectives of the Marrakesh Agreement. 
 
Reaffirming that among  the objectives of the WTO is to ensure that developing countries, and 
especially the least developed among them, secure a share in the growth in international trade commensurate with the needs of their economic development  
 
Recognizing  that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) comprise the majority of firms, 
account for a significant portion of value added and total employment, and are important sources 
of innovation and job creation, particularly for developing and least-developed countries. 
 Further recognizing that MSMEs are important economic actors in advancing inclusive and 
sustainable economic growth, innovation, and prosperity. 
 Decide as follows: 
 
Building on the work undertaken by the WTO in addr essing trade issues as it relate to MSMEs and 
without prejudice to Members’ rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement and its Annexes, the General Council shall consider the most appropriate arrangement to facilitate the exchange of 
information and experiences among Members regarding the opportunities and challenges of 
MSMEs, with particular consideration to the needs and interests of developing and least-developed countries.  Due account shall be taken of the relevant work of other international organizations, 
including the ITC, UNCTAD, and the World Bank, and as appropriate undertake collaborative effort 
to enhance better coherence in the discussions.  We further instruct the WTO Secretariat to prepare a descriptive review of the work, discussions, 
and initiatives done within the WTO and by other international organizations on trade-related 
issues relevant to MSMEs.  
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