The discussion focused on the specific barriers that MSMEs face in the global trading system and what steps could be taken to lower those barriers.

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said:

“This is a very important issue. MSMEs are responsible for the largest share of employment opportunities in most economies — up to 90% in some countries — and they are big employers of women and young people. At the domestic level MSMEs have major economic importance, but their participation in trade simply doesn’t match up. This is true in both developing and developed countries. So it seems that we may be missing a significant opportunity.

“A truly inclusive trading system offering MSMEs a chance to develop their potential could help to transform many lives around the world. This would mean tackling the barriers that MSMEs face when participating in trade — and the smaller the business, the bigger the barriers can seem.

“It would be useful to establish a detailed sense of what the major barriers and priorities are for MSMEs, and what we can potentially do to help. This could be through Aid for Trade support, through the regular work of the WTO, through negotiating new trade agreements, or a whole range of other avenues. I hope that this meeting will be an important moment in answering these questions and identifying concrete steps that members could potentially take in response.”

DG Azevêdo’s full speech is available here. 

Ambassador Esteban Conejos of the Philippines, who chaired the workshop, said:

“Economic development must be equitable and inclusive. Everyone has a role to play to achieve this objective. The role of the WTO is to provide the enabling environment for equitable and inclusive growth. 

“One of the most inequitable conditions is the lack of opportunities for MSMEs to participate in international trade. There are many reasons for this. Some examples are the cumbersome, lengthy and complex trading procedures and limited flow of information between sellers and buyers across borders. 

“So, there are many things that we can do. But we can start by changing our mindset by putting the interest of MSMEs in the front and centre of trade policy making. Mr Gregory Domingo, the former Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, put it very succinctly when he said: 'MSMEs should be the prism through the facets of which light will be shed on our policies and actions regarding trade'.”

The event heard presentations from a number of experts in the field, including: Nora K. Terrado, Vice-Minister of Trade and Industry in the Philippines; Arancha González, Executive Director of the ITC; Alejandro Jara, Senior Counsel at King and Spalding LLP; Hafsah Hashim, Chief Executive Officer of the SME Corporation Malaysia; and Carlos Grau Tanner, Director-General of the Global Express Association. The presentations were followed by a discussion with WTO members.