  
  
INF/MSME/W/51  
 
16 April 2024  
(24-3211) Page: 1/2 
  Original: English  
 
 
INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON MSMES  
PROPOSAL FOR MSMES WORK PROGRAM PLANNING ON BRIDGING THE GAP  
BETWEEN LOCAL  BUSINESS  AND GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS  
THROUGH TRANSPAREN CY AND INCLUSION  
Communication from the United States of America  
The following communication, dated 16 April 202 4, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of the United States of Americ a. 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  A central theme running through the work of the Micro, Small, and Medium -sized Enterpris es 
(MSMEs) Informal Working Group (IWG)  is the importance of transparency and inclusion. F rom the 
Trade4MSMEs platform and the Global Trade Helpdesk to the compilation of compendia to direct 
engagement with the private sector, tremendous effort has been ma de by the signatories of this 
IWG toward helping small businesses access the information they need  in order  to engage more 
effectively in international trade.  
1.2.  As the MSMEs IWG looks forward to the next biennium of work , the United States  of America  
believe s there would be value  in exploring the "last mile " of this information sharing and 
transparency : how small businesses in members ' respective  economies are linked to the 
mechanisms that shape trade policy . And, how do small businesses engage with and derive benefit 
from activities, discussions and information available through International Organizations (IOs) 
including the WTO?  
2  STRUCTURE AND C ONTENT  
2.1.  The MSMEs IWG could explore this linkage by inviting local chambers of commerce, trade 
associations, and/or other local organizations to share with members  how they engage with both 
policymakers and MSMEs in the interests of transparency and inclusion.  
2.2.  A conversation could explore, for example, how these civil society groups:  
• help bridge the gap between IOs and MSMEs by raising awareness of publicly available trade -
related information and documentation;  
• promote transparency by supporting consultation mechan isms and dialogues with 
stakeholders;  
• incorporate underserved, marginalized, disadvantaged or under -represented communities 
into trade policy decision -making processes.  INF/MSME/W/51  
 
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  3  OUTCOMES  
3.1.  Pursuing this  line of work could lead to members ' enhanced  understanding of th e challenges 
MSMEs face in obtaining and making use of information made available by international 
organizations, particularly the WTO. It would also shed light on the challenges MSMEs face in making 
themselves heard by international organizations, and how  local organizations play a role in 
amplifying the voices of small businesses.  
3.2.  This work could also provide an opportunity for local organizations of different sizes and from 
different regions to connect with each other in a unique way and broaden their pr ofessional networks.  
3.3.  After hearing from speakers, the signatories of the MSMEs IWG could consider circulating a 
room document summarizing the discussions.  
 
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