MANILA – The World Trade Organization (WTO) on Thursday launched the Trade4MSMEs website, a tool to help micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) find trade-related information and improve their ability to trade on the market. international.
The Trade4MSMEs platform (https://trade4msmes.org/) has also been developed to help policymakers and researchers design measures tailored to the needs of small businesses.
The new platform, launched by the WTO Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, will allow small businesses to access a wide range of business information gathered from a variety of sources.
The website has two main sections: MSME Resources and Resources for Decision Makers.
The MPME resources are divided into MPME guides and MPME library.
The MSME Guides section contains key information on the steps companies should take before exporting or importing any goods or services, such as how to assess the export potential of the markets they are targeting and their willingness to export.
It lists the main business documents required for companies to export or import to various markets, contractual or intellectual property issues that need to be considered, and logistics and transportation options.
The guides also explain how small businesses can access trade finance, get the most out of digital tools, and manage potential trade disputes.
The MSME library offers resources on several trade-related topics including trade in goods, trade in services, intellectual property, contract disputes, digital technologies and trade, access to finance, capacity building and regional trade agreements.
The Resources for Decision Makers contain the Decision Makers’ Guides and the Decision Makers Library, with information for policymakers, government officials and researchers, and describe issues of importance to MSMEs and highlight best practices.
The platform provides information on international and regional initiatives for MSMEs and contains links to data sources for analysis.
The WTO said the platform has been developed with financial support from the UK while additional funds from Canada will be available.
Current partners include the Global Trade Helpdesk, the International Chamber of Commerce and its Centers for Entrepreneurship, International Trade Center and Google.
Other partnerships will be developed in the coming months. (RP)