  
  
INF/MSME/W/2 5 
 
10 February 2020  
(20-1035) Page: 1/1 
  Original: French  
 
  
INFORMAL WORKING GRO UP ON MSME S 
DRAFT DECLARATION ON  ACCESS TO TRADE FIN ANCE FOR MSMES1 
Communication from Côte d 'Ivoire  
The following  communication, dated  10 February 2020 , is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of  Côte d'Ivoire.  
 
_______________  
 
 
Recalling  the Declaration on the Establishment of the WTO Informal Work Programme for MSMEs 
(WT/MIN(17)/58/Rev.1);  
 
Recognizing that the  participation of MSMEs  in international trade contributes significantly  to the 
socioeconomic development of  developing countries, particularly  the least developed countries  
(LDCs); 
 
Considering  that the bank penetration rate  in developing countries  and particularly in LDCs  is very 
low and, moreover,  that trade finance for MSMEs  by traditional operators  (banks, investment funds 
and donors ) is extremely difficult in developing countries and particularly  in LDCs ; 
 
Noting  that MSMEs have very limited access to the trade finance market in developing countries and 
particularly in LDCs;  
 
Noting  that many studies have shown that one of the major obstacles to development for MSMEs is 
difficulties faced in accessing trade financ e; 
 
Recognizing  that MSMEs  are usually faced with the problem of  obtaining guarantees for trade finance  
in developing countries  and particularly in LDCs ; 
 
Recognizing  that costs related to foreign trade operations  represent a significant burden  for MSMEs  
in developing countries , and particularly in LDCs , interested in participating in  international  trade ; 
 
We, the members of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs , 
 
Call on WTO Members  to pay special attention to the trade finance needs of MSMEs and to actively 
engage in the Working Group  on Trade, Debt and Finance  and the Informal Working Group on MSMEs 
to identify and implement concrete measures that can facilitate MSME access to fina nce, particularly 
through:  
 
• the exchange of best practices; and  
• information -sharing on relevant technical assistance and capacity -building.  
__________  
 
1 This document replaces  document INF/MSME/W/24.  