INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.2  
 
21 November 2019  
(19-7982) Page: 1/3 
  Original: English  
 
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSMES  
DRAFT RECOMMENDATION  ON THE COLLECTION A ND  
MAINTENANCE OF MSME -RELATED INFORMATION  
Communication from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand,  
Paraguay, the Russian Federation , Switzerland  and Uruguay  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 19 November 2019, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegations of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, New Zealand, Paraguay, the 
Russian Federation, Switzerland an d Uruguay . 
 
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Recalling  the Declaration on the Establishment of a WTO Informal Work Programme for MSMEs 
(WT/MIN(17)/58);  
 
Desiring to support the WTO Secretariat in its regular work on trade policy reviews;  
 
Noting  the discussions by the MS ME Informal Working Group of information of particular interest to 
MSMEs that could be included in WTO Trade Policy Reviews ; 
 
Seeking  to ensure that such information is systematically collected and catalogued for ongoing use 
and reference; and  
 
Acknowledgi ng that the provision of such information is voluntary;  
 
Recommends  that: 
 
1. All WTO Members voluntarily provide during their trade policy review process, to the extent it 
is readily available, the MSME -related information contained in the checklist in An nex 1. Members 
are encouraged to provide additional information not included in the checklist, as appropriate.  
 
2. Members provide such information either in their own Government Reports, in the Secretariat 
Report  by asking the Secretariat to request the i nformation for inclusion, or a combination of both.  
 
3. In drafting its Government Report, the Member includes the MSME -related information in a 
dedicated section of the report as well as in other relevant sections, as appropriate.  
 
4. If a Member asks the Secretariat to request MSME -related information for inclusion in the 
Secretariat Report, the Secretariat is encouraged to include it in a dedicated section as well as in 
other relevant sections, as appropriate.  
 
5. Members whose trade policy reviews wi ll not occur within three years of the adoption of this 
recommendation, or Members who wish to provide the MSME -related information included in the 
checklist contained in Annex 1  separately from the trade policy review process , are encouraged to INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.2  
 
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  voluntaril y provide it, to the extent it is readily available, directly to the Informal Working Group 
within three years of the adoption of this recommendation.  
 
6. The WTO Secretariat establish and maintain a database of the information collected or 
provided by Mem bers in order to: (i) provide Members with an overview of MSME -related 
information; (ii) support an exchange of information between Members; and (iii) inform analysis and 
discussions of MSME -related agenda items in WTO Councils and Committees.  
 
 
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  INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.2  
 
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  ANNEX 1  
CHECKLIST OF MSME -RELATED INFORMATION TO  VOLUNTARILY INCLUDE  
IN WTO TRADE POLICY REVIEWS  
 
Background information  
 
1. How MSMEs are defined for the purposes of statistical and policy analysis.  
  
2. Available statistics on the role of MSMEs in the economy and their participation in 
international trade; any identifiable trends. This information , disaggregated to the 
extent it is readily available,  could include: (i) total  number of MSMEs; (ii) percentage 
of businesses that are MSMEs; (iii) employment profile of MSMEs, e.g. percentage of 
total employment generated by MSMEs; (iv) contribution of MSMEs to gross domestic 
product; (v) export and imports by MSMEs, e.g. percentag e of all exports and imports 
for MSMEs, total number of MSMEs that are exporting and importing.  
  
3. Available statistics (overall or by sector) on MSME ownership by diverse groups (e.g., 
women, youth , etc.).  
  
 
 
Marketplace Framework  
 
1. Specific references, if any, to MSMEs in the domestic marketplace framework (i.e., 
legislative and regulatory regime).  
  
2. Consultation mechanisms, if any, for MSMEs to provide input to and comment on new 
or revised legislation and regulations.  
  
3. Processes implemented, if any, to review new legislation or regulations in relation to 
their effects on MSMEs.  
  
4. Procedures, if any, to support MSMEs' compliance with new regulatory or legislative 
requirements.  
  
 
 
Government Programs and Policies  
 
1. Targeted support programs and/or policies, if any, to help MSMEs grow domestically 
and/or export internationally. This could include supports for SMEs to increase their 
competitiveness, innovation or digital capabilities.  
  
2. General program s, if any, that provide financial support to scale -up or export and are 
accessible by MSMEs.  
  
3. Provisions in Regional Trade Agreements, if any, to support MSMEs in cross -border 
trade, e.g. cooperation, investment.  
  
4. Collaborative engagement with other countries that support MSMEs, e.g. international 
cooperation efforts on standardization to reduce regulatory burden across 
jurisdictions.  
  
 
 
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