This virtual regional workshop organised under the UK Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+) WTO Umbrella Grant Project aimed to, inter alia: (i) Inform national stakeholders of key international trade policy developments taking place through the WTO Joint Initiative on MSMEs; (ii) Gain a better understanding of the on-the-ground realities and challenges faced by MSMEs when participating in international trade opportunities; (iii) Facilitate an exchange of national experiences and mutual learning on best practices, for the purpose of strengthening regional networks; and (iii) Understand the common challenges and opportunities to be tackled and leveraged for unleashing the potential of the region’s MSMEs in international trade.
The format included breakout sessions to promote the sharing of experiences among small groups, and was held under the Chatham House Rule to facilitate a frank exchange. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of developing and least developed country (LDC) member delegations in Geneva and in capitals, as they determine their level of engagement, strategy and approach to the WTO Joint Statement Initiatives (JSI) on e-commerce, investment facilitation for development and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), respectively.
The TAF2+ WTO Umbrella Grant aims to strengthen the capacity of developing and least developed country (LDC) member delegations in Geneva and in capitals, as they determine their level of engagement, strategy and approach to the WTO Joint Statement Initiatives (JSI) on e-commerce, investment facilitation for development and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), respectively. It is a project of the Trade and Investment Advocacy Fund (TAF2+) of the UK, implemented by the International Institute for Sustainable Development, CUTS International Geneva, BKP Economic Advisors, and InterAnalysis.