Business, trade and market intelligence: Global Trade Helpdesk

Résumé

The Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH) is a multi-agency initiative, which aims at improving the quality, transparency and accessibility of trade-related information. It integrates existing information on trade regulations, procedures and opportunities into a unique web portal for micro-, small and medium size enterprises (MSMEs) to make better informed trade decisions. The overall objective is to simplify market research and reduce trade cost hence maximizing the benefits of trade, in particular for MSMEs in developing countries by supporting them to make better informed trade decisions through the availability of the GTH platform. Geared to meet the specific needs of small business users', the platform is supported by an active network of partners across eleven international agencies, and regularly hosts events and capacity building activities for BSOs and MSMEs on how to leverage global trade opportunities using the GTH platform. The GTH platform has been recognized in 2023 by the G20 Ministers responsible for Trade and Investment as a central platform to support the accessibility of trade-related information and spur the integration of MSMEs in world trade. In 2024, among others, the GTH took its first strides towards responding to the G20 Jaipur Call for Action, leveraging AI assisted translation technologies with strong partnerships with International Chamber of Commerce of Indonesia and China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) for verification, local adaptation and promotion. Building on the successful collaboration to create and promote the use of the GTH platform, in 2025, the multi-agency alliance on the Global Trade Helpdesk will continue drawing on its extensive experience to enhance the platform, update and integrate key data and develop sustainable capacity building activities with key multipliers.