ITC publications bring the business voice to sustainable trade, with a focus on developing countries. We offer guidance for trade policymakers, business support organizations and small firms. Our reports offer insights to make trade more inclusive, green, digital and competitive.
This SME Competitiveness Outlook assesses the impact of conflict and fragility on business performance. It unveils a Fragility Exposure Index, and shows that fragility, as experienced by firms, can be reduced by 25% if they take actions to reinforce competitiveness. These include engaging with...
This glossary is the first edition of legal and other terms that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) will encounter while trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The aim of the glossary is to help users understand legal, commercial and customs...
Since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, exports from participating developing countries to China have soared by 79% to $798 billion. However, almost half of the export potential from these countries to China is unrealized. There are abundant opportunities for export...
Multilateral, plurilateral, unilateral, as well as regional integration efforts in the Asia-Pacific have brought down tariffs, increased connectivity, helped achieve regulatory harmonization and promoted cooperation across the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific...
Approximately 70% of French-speaking African firms feel their business is at high risk from environmental threats, making prevention, preparedness and mitigation a priority. With more than 60% having no adaptation or mitigation measures in place, greater financial and technical support is needed to...
Based on data from the International Trade Centre's small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Competitiveness Survey, this report highlights the importance of business support, financial services and digital technologies for Zimbabwean firms. Those with access to these resources are more competitive,...
This report applies a gender lens framework to government procurement through the public provision, consumption and employment channels. It identifies opportunities to develop a gender lens for government procurement in the World Trade Organization to inform and advance the debate among negotiators,...
This report identifies how World Trade Organization negotiators and signatories can mainstream gender considerations through the negotiations on Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD). It examines policies and regulations that can encourage investment that attracts women-owned businesses and...
This report advises governments on tackling gender inequality and promoting women’s economic empowerment when implementing the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA). It recommends helping women traders access vital information about their rights, border crossing times,...
This report supports the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender by offering an analytical framework outlining trade and trade-related impacts on women (and men) through the employment, consumption and public provision channels. It presents a step-by-step approach...
E-commerce is a vital part of commercial activity, yet few provisions on digital trade reference gender equality. This report explores policy reforms needed to bridge the gender divide on digital access, adoption and usage. The report recommends building e-commerce capacity focused on gender...
Many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) face significant barriers to realizing their potential in digital trade. From a lack of knowledge and skills to the unavailability of services or lack of access to a supportive environment, small businesses may find it challenging to...
