INF/MSME/W/21/Rev.1  
 
5 December 2019  
(19-8367) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
DRAFT DECISION ON MI CRO, SMALL AND MEDIU M ENTERPRISES (MSMES ) 
Revision  
The following communication, dated 5 December  2019, is being circulated at the request of the 
Coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs.  
 
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We, the Head s of Delegations representing the following Members of the WTO:  […], 
 
Acknowledging  that promoting the participation of Micr o, Small and Medium -Sized 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, entrepreneu rship and economic growth;  
 
Reaffirming  our pledge to favour horizontal and non -discriminatory solutions that support the 
participation of MSMEs in international trade;  
 
Acknowledging  that this initiative contributes to strengthening the multilateral tradi ng system and 
recalling that it is open to all WTO Members;  
 
Recognizing  that MSMEs from developing countries and especially from the least developed countries 
face additional obstacles when participating in international trade;  
 
Desiring  to support the co nsideration of MSME -related issues in the regular work of WTO bodies;  
 
Building  on the work undertaken by the WTO in addressing issues relevant to MSMEs;  
 
Taking note  of the work done by the WTO Informal Working Group on MSMEs since the 11th WTO 
Ministeria l Conference that took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December 2017;  
 
Decide as follows:  
 
1  ARTICLE 1 – RECOMMEN DATIONS [AND DECISIO NS] 
1.1.  We are pleased to endorse the following recommendations and decisions taken by the MSME 
Informal Working Group:  
[a) Recommendation on the Collection and Maintenance of MSME -Related Information in 
TPRs (Annex I);  
b) Decision to establish a WTO MSME Web Platform (Annex II);  
c) Decision to support MSMEs' Access to Information and the Global Trade Helpdesk 
(Annex  III); INF/MSME/W/21/Rev.1  
 
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  d) Recommendation on Promoting MSMEs' Inclusion in Rulemaking in the Area of Trade 
(Annex IV);  
e) Recommendation on Trade Facilitation (Annex V);  
f) Recommendation on MSMEs and the Integrated Database  (Annex VI).]  
2  ARTICLE 2 – WORK PRO GRAMME  
2.1.  We adopt  a Work Programme, which shall include, among others, the following issues:  
[a) At the first meeting of the MSME Working Group each year, the members shall identify 
and organize work to bring MSME -related subjects for discussion within the mandates 
of [two ] regular WTO bodies later that year [Canada];  
b) Examine and exchange good practices to facilitate consideration of MSMEs in domestic 
policy making processes and promote a more predictable environment for MSMEs in 
order to compile an indicative list of th ese practices by the end of 2021 [Canada  and 
Switzerland];  
c) Exploration of MSME -related provisions in regional trade agreements and exchange of 
relevant experiences and best practices [Russian Federation] ; 
d) Identify and explore  trade facilitation measures that contribute to reducing trade costs 
for MSMEs  in areas such as logistics [MC111] and electronic commerce [Russian 
Federation] , as well as  procedures and requirements related to origin  [MC111]; 
e) Explore mechanisms and measu res that contribute to facilitating MSMEs’ participation 
in international investment flows [Russian Federation] ; 
f) Exchange good practices and explore concrete measures that could be taken to promote 
MSME -friendly implementation of the TFA, with a particu lar focus on single windows and 
AEO programmes [INF/MSME/W/14/R ev.1]; 
g) Establish national SME contact points [Switzerland];  
h) Explore existing de minimis  practices and their impact on MSMEs  [Switzerland];  
i) Explore how the effective use of intellectual  property rights could help MSMEs succeed 
in global trade [Russian Federation];  
j) Exchange good practices on the collection of trade statistics at firm size level and 
consider measures that could be taken to improve firm -size level data to better 
understand MSME's roles in global value chains and the impact of policies aimed at 
increasi ng MSME integration in international trade [INF/MSME/W/19];  
k) Exchange good practices on cybersecurity programmes available to MSMEs and consider 
how technical assistance and capacity building could take into account the trade needs 
and challenges of MSME s, including cybersecurity enhancement tools 
[INF/MSME/W/20];  
l) Promote and identify good practices on available and accessible trade finance 
programmes for MSMEs [MC111].] 
2.2.  The discussions under the Work Programme shall favour horizontal and non -discrimin atory 
solutions which are likely to yield benefits for the participation of MSMEs in international trade, taking 
into account the specific needs of developing countries and LDCs.  
 
1 MC11 refers to the 10 December 2017 Draft ministerial decision on establishing a work programme for 
micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the WTO  (WT/MIN(17)/24/Rev.1).  INF/MSME/W/21/Rev.1  
 
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  2.3.  The Informal Working Group will meet periodically with the private sector to discuss matters 
related to the implementation of the Work Programme.  
3  ARTICLE 3 – STRUCTUR E 
3.1.  The MSME Informal Working Group established at MC11 will monitor the implementation of the 
recommendations in Article 1 and conduct discussions on issues covered by the work programme 
set out in Article 2.  
3.2.  The Informal Working Group shall meet at least twice a year and take decisions by consensus.  
3.3.  The Informal Working Group shall promote an effective coordination and information exchange 
with the other WTO regular wor king bodies on MSME -related issues.  
3.4.  In parallel to substantive discussions on issues, such as those under Article 2.1, members of 
the Informal Working Group will endeavour to promote this initiative with the view to encourage all 
WTO Members to join the Gr oup. 
3.5.  The Informal Working Group on MSMES  will continue to periodically share with the membership 
information on its work and discussions at the HoDs, General Council and the Ministerial Conference.  
 
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