INF/MSME/R/1  
 
25 Mar ch 2019 
(19-1825) Page: 1/3 
 Original: English  
 
 
 
OPEN -ENDED THEMATIC SESSION ON IMPROVING  ACCESS TO INFORMATI ON  
FOR MSME s: TAKEAWAYS AND NEXT  STEPS* 
 
The following communication, dated 23 April 2018, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland, as co -coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs and organizer 
of this thematic session, and the delegation of Uruguay, as general coordinator of the Informal 
Working Group on MSMEs.  
 
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Reflecting on the Informal Group of MSMEs thematic session held at the WTO on 27  March 2018, 
we, the co -coordinator and general coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs, took note 
of the following key messages from speakers and participants:  
 
1  MESSAGES FROM KEYNOT E SPEAKERS  
1.1.  According to Philippines' Vice Minister for Trade an d Industry, many small companies struggle 
in accessing international markets. Therefore, they rely on national and regional information portals 
to facilitate MSME trade. However, these efforts have their limits and a broader initiative such as the 
Global T rade Helpdesk (helpmetrade.org) can be an effective solution.  
1.2.  Alan Wolff, WTO Deputy Director General, highlighted the importance of: reaching out to 
different Ministries that have an interest in raising awareness for the MSME initiative – these will be 
able to contribute ideas and practical guidance; reaching out to national legislators, to small business 
committees, to the press and to social media to raise awareness about the MSME initiative;  
promoting experience sharing and best practices;  helping impro ve the tool by providing feedback on 
a regular basis; and  establishing institutional links with key organizations that work on issues that 
matter to MSMEs, such as standards setting organizations.  
1.3.  Dorothy Tembo, ITC Deputy Executive Director, noted that ac cess to information has been and 
continues to be an enormous challenge. Ms. Tembo maintained that trade information is essential 
to the way that businesses trade with other countries, particularly the smaller size companies and 
that information makes all t he difference between going global and not.  
2  DISCUSSION ON THE GL OBAL TRADE HELPDESK:  A JOINT INITIATIVE FROM WTO, 
UNCTAD AND ITC  
2.1.  Following a presentation on the current state of the Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH), the floor 
was opened to participants to comme nt and react. The main points made during the discussion were 
the following : 
a. Participants believed that a one -stop shop is a good and efficient approach.  
i. There is a need to ensure that the system is user -friendly and easy to understand.  
ii. Information provide d needs to be global, up to date and timely.  
                                                
* This document was originally circulated as JOB/GC/183 dated 25 April 2018 . INF/MSME/R/1  
 
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  b. MSMEs should be able to be informed in their own language.  
i. Such platforms should not only be limited to WTO languages.  
ii. Governments can play a role in helping translating information into their respective 
nationa l languages.  
c. There is a need for training and technical assistance.  
i. As a mean to disseminate information to potential users.  
ii. Some pilot countries could be identified among LDCs and developing economies.  
d. Governments have a responsibility to inform MSMEs of such initiatives.  
i. Raising awareness of such initiatives is key.  
ii. Governments should reach out to national legislators, interest groups, the business 
sector and the press to enhance the efficiency of the GTH.  
iii. Furthermore, synergies between national and inter national platforms must be 
enhanced.  
e. National contact points on MSMEs could be established.  
i. It would allow the managers of the GTH to more easily interact with the national 
authorities that detain relevant information.  
ii. It could enable MSMEs to receive pers onal assistance whenever necessary.  
iii. The idea of using already existing contact points, in particular those established in the 
context of the TFA can be explored.  
f. Participants highlighted the importance for the portal to provide user -friendly 
information on  MFN tariffs (preferential and non -preferential), NTMs, rules of 
origin, import licensing requirements as well as mandatory documents and 
forms.  
i. Furthermore they  could also include information on trade finance, distribution 
channels, trade statistics, cust oms clearance costs and duration, trade remedies, and 
logistics services.  
ii. It should also ensure that forms required to import and export be made available on 
the GTH platform.  
iii. The idea of developing manuals and videos to explain import and export procedure s 
can be explored.  
g. Several delegations stressed the need for WTO Members to better fulfil their 
notification requirements to support the development of the GTH.  
h. Country surveys could be conducted to have a better feedback on the use of the 
GTH.  
i. In addition , the GTH should be "smartphone friendly" as many users rely solely on 
mobile technology.  
2.2.  Additionally, some delegations expressed the importance to give MSMEs the possibility to 
convey their concerns to national authorities and to establish a mechanism be tween public 
authorities to exchange best practices.  INF/MSME/R/1  
 
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  3  NEXT STEPS  
3.1.  Based on the interest expressed by delegations during the meeting and numerous feedbacks 
received, a follow up meeting at the technical level will be organized for interested 
delegations in or der to look into operational steps . Dates of the meeting will be communicated 
in due time by the group of coordinators.  
3.2.  Discussions will continue between the informal working group on MSMEs and WTO, ITC and 
UNCTAD in order to reinforce mutual collaboration . 
3.3.  The Informal group of MSMEs will send an invitation to all WTO Members to contribute to the 
success of the Global Trade Helpdesk initiative.  
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