The 17 March roundtable explores how Aid for Trade fosters women’s empowerment, and delivers impact for livelihoods and economies.

Member states meet to take stock of ITC’s work, provide recommendation for way forward.

Dorothy TemboDeputy Executive Director21st July 2017Room W, WTOGeneva

International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), the International Trade Centre (ITC) announce new project to boost sustainable economic diversification and boost job creation in dates sector.

(Paris and Geneva) The International Trade Centre (ITC) and Expertise France have signed a letter of intent to reinforce their collaborative work on providing trade-related technical assistance for developing countries and least developed countries (LDCs)....

Helpdesk to strengthen economic ties between the EU and nine Mediterranean partners, as well as between Mediterranean countries themselves.

New partnership to focus on job creation, sustainable growth and inclusive development.

E-commerce can turn small firms into global players, say experts during UNCTAD E-Commerce Week.

Lai-momo and the International Trade Centre to collaborate to provide vocational training for West African migrants in Italy to facilitate assisted voluntary return schemes with the EU funded Emergency Trust fund for Africa.

Small and medium-sized firms in sub-Saharan Africa receive training in using quality packaging to add value to their products and ensure competitiveness in global markets.

New collaboration aims to strengthen participation of women across coffee supply chain.

(Kabul-Geneva) – Afghanistan today took its first steps towards the creation of a National Export Strategy (NES) that will set out its trade priorities. More than 100 representatives from the public and private sector are meeting in Kabul for a two-day...

Burkina Faso and Mali to benefit from value addition in ethical fashion and design sectors in effort to create sustainable jobs and reduce irregular migration.

Watch the latest edition of ITC’s video news programme to see Moroccans who model good trade – more green, inclusive and high quality.

New office to be located at ITC headquarters

Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness and the International Trade Centre to work together on global value chain analysis and inclusive sector development.

New project offer training online courses to aspiring Libyan entrepreneurs.

UN, WTO and ITC develop new “ePing” system to promote trade.

As ITC Trade for Sustainable Development Forum opens, panelists narrow in on data collection, analysis and use to drive sustainable growth.

Watch a video featuring new SheTrades champions responding to the call to connect 1 million women to global markets by 2020.

Trade experts put focus on risks and opportunities to trade and climate change policies in least developing countries.

ITC and PIFS to help guide the Kingdom of Tonga mainstream trade into its national development strategy.

The International Trade Centre and the IMD World Competitiveness Center aim to improve the understanding of the drivers of competitiveness in developing countries

Naima Zeyad launched her first jewellery line and opened her own store after participating in an ITC project.

ITC, Google, and CI&T select Greenbell Communications of Kenya to build digital platform in campaign to connect one million women entrepreneurs to markets.

Web developers from Brazil, Costa Rica, Kenya and Thailand selected as finalists for the joint ITC, Google and CI&T WVEF Tech Challenge

African cotton ginners have signed to sell 1,500 tons of cotton to Bangladeshi spinners after meeting through ITC.

Tourism stakeholders in Myanmar have a better understanding of the role branding plays in attracting foreign visitors thanks to a recent seminar hosted by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and Image Diplomacy (iD), with the Ministry of Hotels and...

UN agencies step up support for implementation of trade facilitation in Asia and the Pacific regions

Geneva-based officials from least developed countries (LDCs) are better equipped to understand how their countries can take advantage of preferential market access to bolster their participation in global services trade following a seminar organized...

A three-day study visit to Inle Lake, one of Myanmar’s top tourist destinations, gave 12 representatives of the Kayah State local government, tourism associations and communities an opportunity to learn how to develop tourism sustainably.Within the framework...

ITC and Promperú are helping Peruvian cooperatives and SMEs exporting fine and aromatic cocoa improve their sustainable sourcing practices, competitiveness and market access.

ITC, UNCTAD and UNECE step up support for implementation of trade facilitation

Businesses and trade negotiators share views on the role of trade in services in securing sustainable growth in the least developed countries (LDCs).Finding common ground for services in a globalized world was the purpose of leading services companies...

Training programme aims to increase Myanmar’s share of international tourism.

From Milano to New York: how ITC’s Ethical Fashion Initiative empowers women artisans in poor communities

Iraqi government officials are better equipped to analyse global trade and market access data to inform trade policies aimed at increasing exports, following a capacity-building workshop led by the International Trade Centre (ITC).Fourteen delegates...

Exporters in Uganda are equipped with the skills to increase trade with India following training on duty-free market access for exports, led by the International Trade Centre (ITC). Business and government representatives gathered for a meeting on ‘Taking...

(Lusaka) Small-scale agro-food processors in Zambia can now produce better-quality packaging through the use of new testing equipment at the Packaging and Textile Laboratory of the Zambia Bureau of Standards. The equipment – IMPEE Porta LAB – is a portable...

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya have increased their productivity and are delivering goods to customers more quickly after introducing the Lean methodology into their processes.Through a series of three workshops, most recently held...

Tourism sector workers in Myanmar to improve services, earn higher incomes People in a remote eastern region of Myanmar are set to do more trade and earn higher incomes through the implementation of a tourism project by the International Trade Centre...

The island nation of Seychelles has become the 161st member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), gaining with it the opportunity to better integrate into the multilateral trading system. The Minister of Finance, Trade and Investment, H.E. Mr. Pierre...

Information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITES) companies in Kenya and Uganda have an opportunity to increase their export competitiveness and connect with new clients through a new project to be implemented by the International Trade Centre...

Trade experts at UNCTAD’s World Investment Forum call for greater inclusiveness of poor and youth in global trade.

For buyers, the standards landscape is confusing and constantly evolving. Interoperability of standards is critical for supply chains.

(Geneva) – Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and multinationals alike face challenges in understanding and implementing sustainability standards. The International Trade Centre (ITC) is working to increase harmonization and transparency of standards...

Remarks delivered by the Executive Director at the Trade for Sustainable Development Forum on 1 October 2014 in Geneva. (CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY) Ladies and GentlemenI am pleased to welcome you to ITC’s first Trade for Sustainable Development Forum...

New Yorkers and UN officials see the power of fashion fuelling development

Those unable to attend the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) from 15-17 September in Kigali, Rwanda, can still follow the discussions via a livestream on the International Trade Centre (ITC) website and participate through various social-media channels.All...

Women’s economic empowerment was the centre of attention at a debate in the United Kingdom’s House of Commons (Parliament) on 10 September, which featured the International Trade Centre’s Executive Director Arancha González as lead speaker.The debate,...

ITC statement by the Executive Director at the plenary session of the SIDS conference, 2 September 2014, SAMOA(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)Distinguished representatives I commend the Government of Samoa for the excellent organisation of this event and the...

The International Trade Centre's Executive Director Arancha González visited the Women in Business Development (WIBDI) organisation in Apia, Samoa, on 30 August to exchange ideas on women's economic empowerment during her official visit to the Pacific...

(Geneva and Kigali) Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, will take centre-stage of the trade and development world on 15-17 September as global thinkers, business leaders and practitioners arrive for the 14th World Export Development Forum (WEDF).This is the first...

(Geneva) Recognising the extensive potential benefits to developing, transition and least developed economies from the World Trade Organization Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA), including: enhanced participation in global supply and value chains;...

Public and private sector representatives from India and five East African countries shared their expectations for the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) new South-South cooperation project, Supporting India’s Trade Preferences for Africa (SITA) at a...

Business leaders in Zimbabwe are learning to better represent the interests of the private sector in government policies through a training led by the International Trade Centre (ITC).The business advocacy workshop, to be held from 2-3 July in Harare,...

Exporters in The Gambia are set to see their goods become more competitive in global markets following the launch of the country’s Trade Information Centre and two key sector strategies.The International Trade Centre...

Partnership will help developing countries live up to Bali commitments

Collaboration on trade facilitation can create momentum for Bali package

Reinforcing the role of the Geneva trade hub can enhance value of collaborative action on global trade

The services sector in the Southeast Asian state will enjoy a boost regionally and globally

(Astana, Kazakhstan) – Putting in place predictable trade-facilitation rules and regulations is critical to raising the export potential of small and medium-sized entreprises (SMEs), but to deliver real benefits to SMEs, countries must implement the regulations. This was the...

Policymakers and members of the business community of developing countries now have a sharper understanding of World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements after a training programme by the International Trade Centre (ITC), aimed at accelerating their countries’...

Zimbabwe’s path towards economic recovery is set to broaden as a result of the European Union-funded project Support to Trade and Private Sector Development.

Representatives of the International Trade Centre (ITC) led by Acting Deputy Executive Director Ashish Shah attended the first Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) V Ministerial Meeting in Cameroon to evaluate progress made with...

(Geneva and Kigali) -- The urgent need to create trade and employment opportunities by increasing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be at the core of the discussions between global thinkers, business leaders and practitioners...

Representatives of the business community, government officials and academics from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) are in Geneva this week to receive training on the multilateral trading system and implications of World Trade Organization...

Thriving SMEs can bolster growth and regional economic integration

Collective efforts on trade facilitation can foster economic integration

Trade plays a vital role in improving and reconstructing the economy of Afghanistan, even as it remains reliant on aid for trade. The Central Asian country has been an accession candidate to the World Trade Organization (WTO) since 2004. As part of Afghanistan’s...

The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) is teaming up with the International Trade Centre (ITC) to ensure full implementation of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement. ITC Executive Director Arancha González met...

Collaboration to facilitate access to global trade for African businesses.

New project to promote SME development and intraregional trade

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is to spearhead a six-year effort to unleash the potential of untapped trade between East Africa and India. ITC’s Executive Director Arancha González revealed details of a project - Supporting India’s Trade Preferences...

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is looking to give the Pacific region an economic boost by launching new projects in Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu.ITC is partnering with the trade promotion organization Pacific Islands Trade & Invest (PT&I)...

Empowering women will create value in the global chain

Businesses and governments must step up support to local communities to help conserve wildlife

The idea that economic austerity alone will not resolve systemic challenges or maximize new trade opportunities in areas such as green growth, niche tourism, creative economy or global diasporas is becoming more common, according to Keith Nurse, Executive...

Women vendors in Africa are set to increase their competitiveness and gain better access to global markets after 19 institutions and individuals signed up for the Global Platform for Action on Sourcing from Women Vendors.ITC hosted delegates from 11...

Increased participation of women in trade in Africa leads to economic diversification, increased regional trade and, ultimately, poverty reduction. However, women’s economic potential is held back by specific constraints, such as lack of access to information,...

(Geneva) – Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Zimbabwe could soon see more of their goods going to European countries following an agreement for funding between the European Union (EU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) for a €2.96 million programme to strengthen...

Arancha González, the Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC), stressed the importance of the economic empowerment of women and vulnerable communities during the 10th anniversary of the Ferdi Symposium, themed ‘Sustainable development,...

CAD $5 million to help improve export opportunities for Moroccan businesses and increase job opportunities for women and youth

The business community can engage with multilateral trade negotiations at different levels, but they should leave negotiating to government representatives, agreed members at the panel ‘Connecting business and the WTO,’ organized by the Evian Group....

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and Dubai Exports today announced that the Tenth Trade Promotion Organizations (TPO) Network World Conference and Awards will be held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, on 3-5 November, 2014.The event, which is jointly...

Russian businesses, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), need to build skills to fully benefit from the opportunities the country’s membership of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has created, Ashish Shah, ITC’s Acting Deputy Executive...

Focus will be on enabling small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries to take advantage of an agreement on trade facilitation

Stakeholders in Tajikistan’s energy sector are being trained in how they can benefit from the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and how to meet the challenges arising from membership of the organization.The International Trade...

LDCs make progress in services trade waiver

In the context of the Bali issues on trade facilitation, development and agriculture, this panel will address the implications of the Ninth WTO Ministerial for the Post-2015 Development Agenda. The panel will start with insights from the lead panellist,...

Opening statement by ITC Executive Director Ms Arancha González of the workshop on ‘Implications of potential Bali issues for the post-2015 development agenda and the development of dynamic partnerships’ at the WTO Public Forum, 3 October 2013

A facilitated flow of goods can lower prices, increase competition and improve the variety, quality and quantity of offers, thus benefiting consumers at all levels. However, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are among the largest...

Many Asian nations have achieved remarkable success in recent years by transforming their economies through technological innovation. A major trend has been the rapid expansion of research and development (R&D) in Asian countries such as China, India,...

Panellists at WTO’s Public Forum discuss prominent e-commerce success stories and challenges in developing countries

STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: 26.09.2013Arancha González welcomes conclusion of Yemen's WTO accession negotiations (Geneva) 'Today's decision by the World Trade Organization [WTO] Working Party on Yemen's accession is an important step, not only...

ITC Executive Director Arancha González speaks about how small and medium-sized enterprises are ‘the key engine’ for inclusive and sustainable growth at the 60th session of UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Board on 23 September.

Executive Director Arancha González leads ITC’s participation at the WTO’s largest annual outreach event in Geneva, where topics include e-commerce for trade development and the post-2015 Development Agenda

ITC Executive Director Arancha González welcomed Roberto Azevêdo, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, in a statement to the WTO General Council on 9 September.

Arancha González says ITC’s close link to the private sector and ability to work directly with actors in the field is one of its ‘biggest assets’, will drive future growth

Memorandum of Understanding aims to strengthen partnership between the Russian Federation and ITC, enabling the implementation of joint trade development programmes

The benefits of the Ethical Fashion Initiative and the importance of linking marginalized people to global value chains were discussed by a panel at the Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade at the World Trade Organization in Geneva on 9 July

Developing countries need support to implement geographic indications, which increase revenues for local producers, said panellists at the Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade at the World Trade Organization in Geneva on 9 July

The Heads of Agency of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) – Aid for Trade in action for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) – met in Geneva on 8 July during the Fourth Global Review of Aid for Trade.The Heads of Agencies recommitted to helping the...

ITC’s collaboration with CBI deepens with the extension of the Netherlands Trust Fund programme, aimed at creating jobs, increasing workers’ income in beneficiary countries

ITC's new programme for the Caribbean aims to facilitate the creation of regional value chains in priority sectors in order to boost the region’s competitiveness, according to ITC Director Friedrich von Kirchbach at the launch event of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Regional Aid for Trade Strategy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Updated process boosts efficiency and effectiveness of needs assessments, leading to more targeted assistance in developing countries

E-commerce in developing countries requires more governmental support to reach its full potential, ITC Executive Director tells WTO workshop.

‘Sustainable Sourcing of Agricultural Raw Materials – a practitioner’s guide’ is being launched in London today...

The International Trade Centre (ITC) and The Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) have congratulated the Republic of Tajikistan on its official accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and reaffirmed their commitment for continued...

Since its first publication in 2008, the Global Enabling Trade Report, which is published by the World Economic Forum, has become a valuable reference tool for many countries in their efforts to increase trade and for many companies by allowing them...

WEDF 2012: Plenary session participants hear how the rise of the middle class in emerging economies creates new demand for higher-value products and services.

ITC looks forward to support businesses coping with new opportunities and challenges as Russia and Vanuatu become the trade body’s 156th and 157th members.

Finland and ITC agree to continue and strengthen efforts to make it easier for women to participate in trade — locally, regionally and globally.

ITC urges policymakers at WTO’s Committee on Trade and Development to accelerate efforts to ensure gender equality and do more to empower women.

African Union and ITC vow to continue to strengthen cooperation to help facilitate and boost trade in Africa.

ITC will host its event, Good Business Models for a Sustainable Future, as part of the UN Global Compact’s Rio+20 Corporate Sustainability Forum on Sunday 17 June. The event can be seen live here at 7pm CET.

ITC’s Ethical Fashion Initiative invites 100 garbage collectors to its Good Business Models for a Sustainable Future event at the Corporate Sustainability Forum.

Speech by Mr. Pascal Lamy, WTO Director-General. Delivered on Day One of the 46th Session of the ITC JAG, 21-22 May 2012. Monday, 21 May 2012, 10:20-10:30...

Speech by H.E. Mr. Hisham M. Badr, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Arab Republic of Egypt. Delivered on Day One of the 46th Session of the ITC JAG, 21-22 May 2012. Monday, 21 May 2012, 10:00-10:10...

Speech by Mr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Secretary-General of UNCTAD. Delivered on Day One of the 46th Session of the ITC JAG, 21-22 May 2012. Monday, 21 May 2012, 10:30-10:40...

Patricia Francis, Executive Director of ITC, today told the attendees of UNCTAD XIII that it is critical to ensure that developing and least developed countries are benefitting from global trade. Ms. Francis said during the General Debate that ITC is...

Exporters can be hampered in their success by numerous hurdles such as varying standards, regulations, subsidies and other requirements with which they need to comply. And often, these barriers are among the top challenges to export development. Experts, including ITC’s Director of the Division of Market Development Mr. Anders Aeroe, discussed the need for bringing to light the barriers and reducing them in UNCTAD’s panel discussion The Future International Agenda on Non-tariff Measures…

The League of Arab States (LAS) region could increase trade among its member states by 10% and create two million new jobs by removing obstacles to intra-regional trade, according to new research by ITC...

Government officials from 26 developing countries participated in WTO’s first-ever Advanced Course on Trade and Environment in Geneva, Switzerland, with ITC’s Trade and Environment Programme providing part of the training...

In 2011 ITC delivered more trade-related technical assistance (TRTA) than in any previous year, even after adjusting for exchange rate fluctuations, exceeding its delivery target and demonstrating credible results across all of its performance measures,...

Women represent half the global population, but they are almost invisible as suppliers to large procurement organizations. In developing countries like India, the majority of women workers are part of the unorganized sector making it difficult to track...

Non-tariff measures (NTMs) are increasing in number and complexity, making it difficult to analyse and mitigate them, and posing rising challenges to exporters. That is the main conclusion from ITC seminar ‘Non-tariff : New challenges and the road ahead’ held in Geneva, Switzerland...

The Council for Multilateral Business Diplomacy provides its perspective on the WTO's Eighth Ministerial Conference.  In its current newsletter, it draws conclusions from the proceedings and analyses the speech of ITC's Executive Director, saying,...

More government contracts should be awarded to female entrepreneurs, particularly in developing and least developed countries, as they learn about the ins and outs of the procurement process and acquire the necessary skill-building with the assistance...

The World Trade Organization formally approved Russia's membership earlier today, capping an 18-year accession bid by the biggest economy outside the 153-nation trade arbiter. ITC assisted one of the country’s least developed regions by organizing a...

Enhancing companies’ ability to trade is a key element of national development agendas. In recent years, Aid for Trade has become the main vehicle for such investment in developing economies. Aid for Trade provides a platform for governments to achieve...

GENEVA, 18 July 2011 – The African Development Bank (AfDB), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Bank, and in cooperation with the UN Statistics Division (UNSD), today launched the...

The member countries of the International Trade Centre (ITC) today endorsed the organization’s plans for delivering trade-related technical assistance to developing countries in 2011 at the end of the 44th annual meeting...