Germany to provide 2 million euros of funding to ITC work in 2015 (en)
The German government will provide 2 million euros of funding to the International Trade Centre in 2015 to support ITC’s work to promote sustainable development by enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to improve competitiveness and connect to international markets.
Ambassador Thomas Fitschen, Germany’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, and ITC Executive Director Arancha González signed the cooperation agreement at ITC headquarters on 17 December 2014.
As per the terms of the agreement, the funds will go to support ITC’s work with SMEs and trade support institutions in developing countries, with emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa and least-developed countries. A particular focus will be helping businesses improve their export performance, and cope with demands arising from the multilateral trading system.
The new German support will to go ‘Window I’ of the ITC Trust Fund, which prioritizes trade-related activities related to the UN Millennium Development Goals of poverty reduction, gender equality, and environmental sustainability, as well as the provision of transparent, trade-related information.
Germany is a longstanding supporter of ITC’s work.