The International Trade Centre
The International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. Established in 1964, ITC is the only development agency that is fully dedicated to supporting the internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) which are proven to be major job creators and engines of inclusive growth.
ITC works with developing countries and economies in transition to achieve ‘trade impact for good’. It provides knowledge such as trade and market intelligence, technical support and practical capacity building to policy makers, the private sector and trade and investment support organizations (TISIs) as well as linkages to markets.
Mission
ITC’s mission is to foster inclusive and sustainable economic development in developing countries and transition economies, and contribute to achieving the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development. It does this by making businesses in developing countries more competitive in regional and global markets and connecting them to the global trading system.
ITC’s work focuses on areas where ITC can have the greatest impact: Strengthening the integration of developing country SMEs into the global economy; Improving TISIs for the benefit of SMEs; and Improving the international competitiveness of SMEs.
Priorities
ITC prioritizes support to least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing states, sub-Saharan Africa, post-conflict countries and small, vulnerable economies.
Economic empowerment of women, young entrepreneurs and support of poor communities as well as fostering sustainable and green trade are priorities.
Areas of work
ITC’s work is structured under six focus areas:
Providing trade and market intelligence; Building a conducive business environment; Strengthening trade and investment support institutions; Connecting to international value chains; Promoting and mainstreaming inclusive and green trade; and Supporting regional economic integration and South-South links.
Within these focus areas, 15 ITC’s programmes carry out activities that are adapted and customized into solutions tailored to the specific needs of its clients. Global goals for sustainable development are ITC’s goals
ITC’s mandate: Support SMEs in developing countries and transition economies for sustainable and inclusive SMEs and the Global Goals: The private sector is a partner in development, and a major driver of productivity, trade and investment. inclusive economic growth and job creation. Globally, SMEs represent more than 90% of all enterprises and over 70% of employment opportunities. Evidence shows that SMEs that are integrated in global markets are more The Global Goals for Sustainable Development: A universal, global development agenda for all United Nations productive than SMEs that do not participate in international trade. Member States and all development actors over the next 15 years. An integrated, interlinked set of 17 goals supported by 169 targets; three development dimensions: economic, social and environmental aspects. ITC contributes to the Global Goals via its support to SME international competitiveness for inclusive and sustainable growth through value addition, trade, investment and global partnerships. It has systems in place to Trade and the Global Goals: International trade is explicitly recognized as a means to achieve the Global Goals: monitor its results and assists the global community to track advances towards achievement of the Global Goals. “International trade is an engine for inclusive economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction, and A code of conduct guides ITC interventions. contributes to the promotion of sustainable development.”
Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of upgrading and innovation. natural resources. Promote policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, Support companies to adopt sustainable practices and entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycles. Encourage formalization and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products. Increase Aid for Trade support.
Building a conducive business environment Support effective, accountable and transparent Ensure youth and adults have relevant Strengthening trade skills for employment, decent jobs and institutions at all levels. supportand institutions investment entrepreneurship. Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making. Ensure participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance.
Providing trade and market intelligence
Supporting regional economic integration and South-South links Double productivity and incomes of small-scale Ensure a conducive policy environment for food producers, in particular women. industrial diversification and value addition. Provide access to knowledge, markets and Increase access of small-scale enterprises to opportunities for value addition. Connecting tochains financial services and integration into value Ensure sustainable food production systems international value chains and markets. Promoting and mainstreaming inclusive and green trade
Reduce proportion of men, women and Achieve income growth of the bottom 40%. children of all ages living in poverty. Implement special and differential treatment Create sound policy frameworks…based on for developing countries, in particular least pro-poor and gender-sensitive development developed countries (LDCs), in accordance strategies. with WTO agreements.
Ensure a universal, rules-based, open, non-discriminatory and equitable Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities. multilateral trading system under the World Trade Organization (WTO). Support women’s equal rights to economic resources. Support significantly increased exports of developing countries, doubling the Enhance use of enabling technology to promote the empowerment of women. least developed countries’ share of global exports by 2020. Structure and staffing ITC’s headquarters, staffed by around 300 employees with some 80 nationalities is located in Geneva, Switzerland. For large projects, ITC employs local consultants and works also out of in-country project offices. Its current Executive Director, Arancha González, has been leading the Centre since September 2013.
Partners
ITC partners with governments, policymakers, development agencies, international and regional organizations, TISIs, SMEs and other stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
Key products and events
Each year, ITC hosts the World Export Development Forum, a premier global event for policymakers and business leaders to explore trade-related issues, identify best practices in increasing the competitiveness of SMEs and foster business to business (B2B) deals.
It also hosts the Women Vendors Exhibition and Forum, the Trade for Sustainable Development Forum and the World Trade Promotion Organization Conference.
In 2015, ITC launched the SME Competitiveness Outlook, an annual flagship report that analyses the competitiveness of SMEs across countries and regions, and provides guidance on where best to concentrate reforms to boost countries’ SME sectors.
One of ITC’s principal knowledge products is a suite of free online market analysis tools that companies around the world can use to discover promising trade and investment opportunities. There are half a million registered users of these global public goods.
Impact
Over half a century, ITC has delivered ‘trade impact for good’ supporting job creation, making economies more diversified, improving sustainability and empowering women economically.
Street address International Trade Centre , 54-56 Rue de Montbrillant, 1202 Geneva, Switzerland Postal address International Trade Centre , Palais des Nations , 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
P: +41 22 730 0111 F: +41 22 733 4439 E: [email protected]
www.intracen.org/ITC-Programmes-by-Focus-Area-Initiatives-and-Impact/