INF/MSME/W/38  
 
17 January 2022  
(22-0364) Page: 1/2 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON MSMES  
TRADE4MSMES  
Update  
The following communication, dated 17 January 2022 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Mexico  and of the Coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs . 
 
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1.1.  The following is a proposed work program me for 2022 for the Trade4MSMEs website, which 
was launched on 2 December 2021:  
1.2.  Further website development  including:  
a. The drafting of additional guides that have been identified since the launch ; 
b. The translation of the website into French and Spanish and any additional languages 
members may wish to support ; 
c. The selection of images and other visuals for uploading ; 
d. The creation of a new section devoted to national resources that are available for MSME 
trade ; 
e. The improvement of functionality based on user feedback . 
1.3.  Communication and further promotion of the website : this includes an information flyer 
that MSME Group members can distribute to their constituencies and social media assets for when 
translations and other updates are completed.  
1.4.  The establishment of partnerships  with other international and regional organizations 
working on MSMEs to maintain the most updated and relevant information on the website. Current 
partnerships include with the Int ernational Trade Centre (ITC), the International Chamber of 
Commerce (ICC), the ICC Centre of Entrepreneurship, and Google. Potential other partners could 
include the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF); International Finance Corporation (IFC); 
Organizatio n for Economic Co -operation and Development (OECD); SME Forum; UN Centre for Trade 
Facilitation and Electronic Business  (UN/CEFACT); United Nations Conference on Trade and 
Development  (UNCTAD); United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE); Univers al Postal 
Union (UPU); World Bank (WB); World Customs Organization (WCO); World Intellectual Property 
Organization (WIPO); and regional development banks such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB).  
1.5.  Trainings  on the Trade4MSMEs web platform are expected to be  delivered in various formats. 
These include independently or in conjunction with trainings on the Global Trade Helpdesk, as well 
as through the ITTC as a topic to possibly be included in related trainings.  
1.6.  Governance : a task force  with assigned responsibilities related to development, maintenance, 
financing and outreach is proposed to ensure long term sustainability of the platform. This task force INF/MSME/W/38  
 
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  will be composed of one or two representatives from each region. The Group Coordinat or also 
proposes creating the role of Coordinator of the Trade4MSMEs platform to lead this task force and 
coordinate work on the further development of the platform.  
1.7.  Funding  has been secured from TAF2+ and UKAid through 2022 and discussions are underway 
with Canada and Google to acquire additional resources for website development. Funds for 
Trade4MSMEs will be routed via the ITC. Although some potential funding has been identified, further 
funds need to be secured to ensure the long -term sustainability of the platform. Members are invited 
to consider how they can support the Trade4MSMEs platform.  
 
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