  
  
INF/MSME/W/21/Rev.4  
 
6 October 2020  
(20-6826) Page: 1/2 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON MSMES  
DRAFT DECLARATION ON MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM -SIZED  ENTERPRISES (MSMES)  
Revision  
The following communication, dated 6 October  2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
Coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs.  
 
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We, the Head s of Delegations representing the following Members of the WTO:  […], 
 
Acknowledging that promoting the participation of Micro, Small and Medium -sized Enterprises 
(MSMEs) in international trade  is an important issue in the WTO agenda , all the more considering 
the significant negative impact that the C OVID -19 pandemic has had including on MSMEs, as well 
as the contribution that the WTO can make to support the global recovery;  
 
Reaffirming  our ple dge, as contained in our Joint Ministerial Statement at Buenos Aires1, to address 
obstacles related to foreign trade operations that represent a significant burden for MSMEs interested 
in participating in international trade;  
 
Reiterating  our resolve to favour horizontal and non -discriminatory solutions which are likely to yield 
benefits for the participation of MSMEs in international trade, taking into account the specific needs 
of developing countries and least developed countries;  
 
Building on the work of the WTO Informal Working Group on MSMEs since the 11th WTO Ministerial 
Conference that took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December  2017,  
 
Are pleased to endorse the following recommendations and declarations:  
 
[a) Draft recommen dation on the collection and maintenance of MSME -related information 
[INF/MSME/W/7/Rev.5];  
b) Draft declaration on access to information [INF/MSME/W/11/Rev.4];  
c) Draft recommendation on trade facilitation and MSMEs [INF/MSME/W/14/Rev. 6]; 
d) Draft recommen dation on promoting MSMEs ' inclusion in regulatory development in the 
area of trade [INF/MSME/W/22/Rev.5];  
e) Draft recommendation on MSME s and the WTO Integrated Database 
[INF/MSME/W/23/Rev.1];  
f) Draft declaration on addressing the trade -related aspects of MSME s' access to finance 
and cross -border payments  [INF/MSME/W/25/Rev. 2]]. 
 
1 WT/MIN(17)58/Rev.1 . INF/MSME/W/21/Rev.4  
 
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  The Informal Working Group on MSMEs will continue to focus on issues of core significance to MSMEs, 
including supporting  these recommendations and declarations, with the aim of identifying actions 
that could be taken in support of MSMEs ' participation in international trade . We will also continue 
striving for a multilateral outcome for MSMEs at the next Ministerial Conferen ce. 
 
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