INF/MSME/W/21/Rev.2  
 
10 February 2020  
(20-1064) Page: 1/4 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
DRAFT DECISION ON MI CRO, SMALL AND MEDIU M-SIZED  ENTERPRISES (MSMES)  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 10 February 2020 , 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  [EU: 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;  
 
Stressing ] that promoting [EU: of] the participation of Micro, Small and Medium -sized Enterprises 
(MSMEs) in internation al trade is [EU: therefore] an important issue in the WTO agenda;  
 
[EU delete:  Recognizing  that MSMEs perform a significant role in the economic development of WTO 
Members, as sources of job creation, innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth; ] 
 
[EU: Recalling  the centrality of the multilateral trading system, with the WTO at its core, including a 
fully operational dispute settlement system, to foster a transparent and predictable global trade 
environment where MSMEs can compete on a level -playing  field;]  
 
[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 trading system and 
recalling that it is ope n 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; ] 
 
[EU alternative:  
Reaffirming  our pledge, as contained in our Jo int 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 which are likely to yield 
benefits for the participation of MSMEs in international trade, taking into account the specific needs 
of developing countries and least developed countries;]  
 
Desiring  to support the consideration of MSME -related issues in the regular work of WTO bodies  [EU: 
and any other WTO relevant work such as the Joint Initiatives related to ecommerce, domestic 
regulation in services or investment facilitation ;] 
 
1 WT/MIN(17)58/Rev.1  INF/MSME/W/21/Rev.2  
 
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[EU delete : 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 
Ministerial Conference that took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December 2017; ] 
 
Decide as follows:  
 
1  ARTICLE 1 – RECOMMEN DATIONS [AND DECISIO NS] 
1.1.  [EU: Welcoming 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,] 
We are pleased to endorse the following recommendations [and decisions ] taken by [the MSME 
Informal Working ] [EU: that]  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);  
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 pred ictable environment for MSMEs in 
order to compile an indicative list of these 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 practi ces [Russian Federation] ; 
d) Identify and explore  trade facilitation measures that contribute to reducing trade costs 
for MSMEs  in areas such as logistics [MC112] and electronic commerce [Russian 
Federation] , as well as  procedures and requirements related to origin  [MC112]; 
e) Explore mechanisms and measures 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 particular focus on single windows and 
AEO programmes [INF/MSME/W/14/R ev.1]; 
 
2 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.2  
 
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  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 
increasing MSME integration in international trade [INF/MSME/W/19];  
k) Exchange good practices on cybersecurity programmes availabl e to MSMEs and consider 
how technical assistance and capacity building could take into account the trade needs 
and challenges of MSMEs, including cybersecurity enhancement tools 
[INF/MSME/W/20];  
l) Promote and identify good practices on available and acces sible trade finance 
programmes for MSMEs [MC112]. 
2.2.  The discussions under the Work Programme shall favour horizontal and non -discriminatory 
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.  
2.3.  The Informal Working Group will meet periodically with the private sector to discuss 
matters related to the implementation of the Work Programme. ] 
[EU alternative:  
2.1.  The Informal Working Group on MSMEs should monitor the recommendations [and 
decisions] set out in article 1 and pursue its work on their basis.  
2.2.  At its first meeting each year and based on proposals by its members, the Informal 
Working Group shall establish its work programme by consens us. 
2.3.  The work programme shall focus on issues of core significance to MSMEs discussed within 
the regular WTO leading bodies and other WTO initiatives and shall foster  exchange s of good 
practices on how to best take into account MSMEs needs in domestic rulem aking. ] 
3  ARTICLE 3 – [STRUCTURE ] [EU: ORGANISATION OF WORK]  
3.1.  [EU delete: 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 s et out in Article 2. ] 
3.2.  The Informal Working Group [EU: on MSMEs] shall meet [EU delete: at least ] twice a year 
[EU delete: and take decisions by consensus ] [EU: and may hold additional meetings as 
appropriate. The Informal Working Group on MSMEs and its mem bers should continue the 
dialogue with the private sector to ensure its work remain relevant for MSMEs] . 
3.3.  [EU delete: The Informal Working Group shall promote an effective coordination and 
information exchange with the other WTO regular working bodies on MS ME-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 Group. ] 
3.5.  The Informa l 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 INF/MSME/W/21/Rev.2  
 
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  Ministerial Conference  [EU: 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] . 
 
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