Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises day

Morning session

Event organized by the UK FSB in cooperation with the Informal Working Group on MSMEs.

R.S.V.P. by 23 June 2019.

10:00-10:10 - Opening remarks

Mr. Alan Wolff, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization

10:10-10:20 - Welcome remarks

H.E. Mr. José Luis Cancela, Ambassador of Uruguay, General Coordinator of the WTO Informal Working Group on MSMEs

10:20-12:00

How to Facilitate Trade for Small Businesses

Whether that be via direct exports or indirectly as part of a global value chain, trade is a vitally important driver for smaller businesses, as it enables them to diversify their markets, reach new customers, grow, and become more competitive. However, more needs to be done to help small businesses benefit from and contribute to world trade. The statistics from developed and developing countries alike show that large companies tend to export much more than small ones. From issues relating to access to information to compliance with rules of origin, there are many obstacles and costs involved for small businesses looking to export. This session will examine from a variety of perspectives how to facilitate trade for small businesses.

Panel discussion

• Mr. Mike Cherry, National Chairman, UK Federation of Small Businesses
• Mr. Jalal Benhayoun, Director General, PORTNET Public Limited Company
• Mr. Andrew Staines, UK Ambassador & Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN and WTO

Moderator

• Mr. James Sibley, FSB’s Deputy Head of EU & International Affairs, UK Federation of Small Businesses

Afternoon session

Events organized by the International Trade Centre with the support of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs, the Republic and State of Geneva and Sustainable Finance Geneva.

R.S.V.P. by 23 June 2019.

Welcome remarks

15:00-15:05

Mr. Alan Wolff, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization

15:05-15:10

Ms. Dorothy Tembo, Deputy Executive Director, International Trade Centre

15:10-15:15

Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

15:15-15:20

Mr. Alexandre Epalle, Director General, Directorate General for Economic Development, Research and Innovation, Republic and State of Geneva

15:20-16:00

Impact investing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises

Dialogue

• Mr. Fabio Sofia, President, Sustainable Finance Geneva
• Ms. Freda Ampofo, Founder and CEO, Kaeme, Ghana
• Ms. Ndeye Thiaw, Managing Partner, Venture Capital, Brightmore Capital, Senegal

Moderator

• Mr. Crispin Conroy, Permanent Observer of the International Chamber of Commerce to the United Nations Office at Geneva

16:00-17:30

Launch of the SME Competitiveness Outlook 2019: Big Money for Small Business

Increasing investments in small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries can have major impacts on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals through the employment opportunities they generate, the business practices they choose to adopt, the sectors in which they operate, and the impact they have on the broader competitiveness of the economy. Successfully mobilizing commercial private investment and effectively connecting this capital with small businesses is key. This year’s SME Competitiveness Outlook helps global asset managers meet local SMEs.

Panel discussion

• H.E. Mr. José Luis Cancela, Ambassador of Uruguay, Chairman of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs at the World Trade Organization
• Ms. Marion Jansen, Chief Economist and Director, Division of Market Development, International Trade Centre
• Ms. Afua Asabea Asare, Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Export Promotion Authority
• Ms. Gulbakhor Makhkamova, Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Business Women of Tajikistan

Moderator

• Ms. Jacqueline Coté, Director, Public Relations, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

17:30-17:40 - Closing remarks

Ms. Arancha González, Executive Director, International Trade Centre

17:40-19:00 - Networking reception