INF/MSME/W/36  
 
28 September  2021 
(21-7234) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON MSMES  
FINAL DRAFT  DECLARATION ON MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM -SIZED  ENTERPRISES (MSMES)  
The following communication, dated 28 September 2021, is being  circulated at the request of the 
Coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs.  At its 24 September 2021 meeting, the MSME 
Group  finalised work on this text and cle ared it.   
 
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We, the Heads of Delegations representing the following M embers of the WTO: […],  
 
Acknowledging  that the integration of Micro, Small and Medium -sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in 
international trade enhances their contribution to the economic development of WTO Members, as 
sources of job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth;  
 
Stressi ng that promotion of the participation of MSMEs in international trade is therefore an 
important issue in the WTO agenda;  
 
Recalling  the centrality of the multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, to foster a 
transparent , inclusive, non -discri minatory, and predictable global trade environment that supports  
and enhances MSMEs  involvement in international trade;  
 
Recognizing  that the COVID -19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on MSMEs and that 
a coordinated global response remains necessary to help MSMEs respond and recover from that 
impact ; 
 
Reaffirming  our pledge, as contained in our Joint Ministerial Statement  at Buenos Aires1, to address 
obstacles related to foreign trade operations that represent a significant burden for MSMEs interested 
in participating in international trade;  
 
Reiterating  our resolve to favour horizontal and non -discriminatory solutions wh ich are likely to yield 
benefits for the participation of MSMEs in international trade, taking into account the specific needs 
of developing Members and least developed countries;  
 
Desiring  to support the consideration of MSME -related issues in the regular  work of WTO bodies and 
any other relevant work in the WTO;  
 
1. Welcome  the work of the WTO Informal Working Group on MSMEs since the 11th WTO Ministerial  
Conference that took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December 2017 and the adoption on 
11 December 2020 of a package (INF/MSME/4 and Rev.1) including the following six 
recommendations and declarations:  
 
a) Recommendation on the collection and mainten ance of MSME -related information 
(Annex 1);  
b) Declaration on access to information (Annex 2);  
 
1 WT/MIN(17) /58/Rev.1 . INF/MSME/W/36  
 
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  c) Recommendation on trade facilitation and MSMEs (Annex 3);  
d) Recommendation on promoting MSMEs' inclusion in regulatory development in the area 
of trade (Anne x 4); 
e) Recommendation on MSMES and the WTO Integrated Database (Annex 5);  
f) Declaration on addressing the trade -related aspects of MSMEs' access to finance and 
cross-border payments (Annex 6).  
2. Welcome  the launch of the Trade4MSMEs Platform and encour age sustaining and developing the  
Platform in partnership with key international organizations working on MSME and trade -related 
issues.  
 
3. Welcome  the establishment of the MSME R egional Trade Agreements  and Trade Policy Review 
databases available on the WTO webpage.  
 
4. Declare  that: 
 
4.1. The work of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs (the IWG) shall focus on issues of core 
significance to MSMEs and shall identify actions that could be taken to promote MSMEs' participation 
in international trade, including fostering exchanges of good practices on how to best take into 
account MSMEs needs in domestic rulemaking.  
 
4.2. The IWG will continue monitoring the progress of implementation of the recommendations and 
declarations set out in paragraph  1. 
 
4.3. The IWG will pursue its work on the basis of the Buenos Aires Joint Ministerial Statement 
(WT/MIN(17)/58/Rev.1), recommendations and declarations set out in paragraph 1 and will consider 
proposals submitted by members as well as any other inputs the IWG d eems relevant in consistence 
with paragraph 4.1. We take note of the presentations made to the IWG, without prejudice to the 
position of IWG members.  
 
4.4. We invite IWG members, with the support of the WTO Secretariat and relevant multilateral 
institution s as needed, to exchange good practices in areas of interest to the Group and to organize 
workshops and information sessions as appropriate.  
 
4.5. The IWG shall meet at least twice a year and may hold additional meetings as appropriate.  
 
4.6. The IWG shall  promote effective coordination and information exchange on MSME -related issues 
with the other WTO regular working bodies, and IWG members shall do their best to promote MSME -
related discussions within those bodies . 
 
4.7. The IWG will continue to periodically share with the membership information on its work and 
discussions at the HoDs, General Council and the Ministerial Conference as well as to reach out to 
other Members in order to invite them to join the Group in light of the value of our initiative.  
 
4.8. The IWG and its members should continue the existing dialogue with the private sector to 
ensure its work remains relevant for MSMEs.  
 
5. Express support for  MSMEs in their efforts to manage the impact of, and recover f rom, the COVID -
19 pandemic . 
 
5.1.  As a first response to the COVID -19 crisis, several IWG members circulated a "Statement on 
highlighting the importance of MSMEs in the time of COVID -19" on 14 May 2020 (WT/GC/215  and 
Rev.1 ).2 Looking ahead, the IWG is de termined to foster a better understanding of how MSMEs can  
 
2 The following Members circulated the Statement: Afghanistan; Albania;  Argentina; Australia; Brazil; 
Canada; Chile; China; Colombia; Costa  Rica; Côte d'Ivoire; Ecuador; El Salvador; European Union; Guatemala ; 
Guyana;  Honduras; Hong Kong, China; Iceland; Israel; Japan; Kazakhstan; Kenya; Korea, Republic of; Lao 
People's Democratic Republic; Liechtenstein; Malaysia; Maldives; Mexico; Moldova, Republic of; Mongolia; 
Montenegro; Myanmar; New Zealand; North Macedonia; Norwa y; Paraguay; Philippines; Qatar; Russian INF/MSME/W/36  
 
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  participate in international trade as a path to recovery considering not only the benefits MSMEs may 
derive from increased access to third markets but also because many MSMEs rely on imports in the ir 
activities.  
 
5.2. The IWG will continue to support the WTO playing an active role in promoting open trade as 
well as resilient and sustainable value chains, which are essential to MSMEs' economic recovery after 
the pandemic.  
 
5.3. As a transparent, inclusive, non -discriminatory, and predictable global trade environment is 
crucial for  MSMEs to make the most of trade opportunities, especially in these COVID -19 trying 
times, the IWG will encourage raising awareness and promoting the use of platforms facilitating 
MSMEs' access to information. The IWG members will support the WTO Secretariat in its monitoring 
and information collection efforts, including on COVID -19 trade related measures. At the same time, 
the IWG will continue inviting membe rs to fulfil their commitments regarding transparency , as a 
means to promote overall transparency  for MSMEs and a more predictable regulatory environment , 
and to facilitate MSMEs ' effective participation in global trade . 
 
__________  
 
Federation; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Saudi  Arabia, Kingdom of; Singapore; Switzerland;  the 
Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu ; Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; United 
Kingdom; Uruguay;  Vanuatu; Viet Nam .