INFORMAL WORKING GROUP ON MSMES

CONVENING NOTICE

Revision

The following convening notice, dated 25 November 2025, is being circulated at the request of the Coordinator of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs, Ambassador Matthew Wilson (Barbados).

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The Informal Working Group on MSMEs will hold its next regular meeting in hybrid mode on Tuesday 2 December 2025, starting at 10:00. In-person participation is encouraged by the Coordinator.

For delegates wishing to join remotely via the Interprefy platform, a technical guide summarizing logistical details for participation in Interprefy meetings will be made available on the Members' interactive calendar of meetings, and can also be found at: WTO Interprefy Delegate Guide.

I ITEMS PROPOSED FOR THE AGENDA

The following items, based on the work programme adopted by the Group at its March 2023 meeting and in discussions at recent meetings, are proposed for the agenda:

1  MC14 PREPARATION

1.1  Launch of WCO, WTO and ICC Joint Study Report on Integration of MSMEs into Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes

Ms. Lazzat Daniyarova from the World Customs Organization and Ms. Valerie Piccard from the International Chamber of Commerce will present the final WCO, WTO and ICC Joint Study Report on Integration of MSMEs into Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes, released during the 32^nd WCO SAFE Working Group meeting on 13 November 2025.

2  STRENGTHENING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS

2.1  Report on the Global SME Ministerial Meeting: Outcomes and Preparations

Mr. Vladimir Hernandez from the ITC will join to provide updates on the implementation of the Call to Action from the first Global SME Ministerial Meeting held in Johannesburg, including follow-up from the post-ministerial technical meetings and regional dialogues.

2.2  APEC 2025, presentation by the Republic of Korea

Following the successful conclusion of the recent APEC Ministerial Meeting in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea will join the MSME Group to report on MSME-related discussions, including the Jeju Initiative on the APEC Startup Alliance.

2.3  MSME Spotlight, Japan

Kanemasa MFG CO., Ltd (https://kanemasa.biz/en/) is a Japanese manufacturer that produces parts and components, including train coach parts and products for various general machines. The company has also developed a solar tracking system and is actively expanding its business overseas. The CEO of Kanemasa will join virtually from Hiroshima to share his international trade experience.

2.4  MSME Spotlight, United Kingdom

Creative Nature Superfoods (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Nut-Free, Vegan Snacks - Superfoods), a UK-based producer of vegan healthy snacks and baking mixes free of the top 14 allergens, will join virtually to share their international trade experience.

2.5  MSME support through national Trade Strategies

The UK will present its comprehensive approach to SME support, covering its Trade Strategy, Industrial Strategy and Small Business Plan. The UK's modern Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to drive sustainable, resilient, long-term growth by boosting investment in high-value sectors; identifying and accelerating highest potential opportunities in these sectors in places across the UK; and tackling barriers like skills, technology adoption, regulation, and access to finance. The Trade Strategy represents a fundamental shift in how the UK government supports businesses - ensuring British enterprises of all sizes can thrive in challenging global conditions. The Small Business Plan sets out measures to strengthen the business environment, improve access to finance, open new opportunities for growth, and enhance the competitiveness of SMEs across the UK. These strategies create a coherent framework for boosting UK business competitiveness at home and abroad.

3  THEMATIC DISCUSSIONS

3.1  Business Support Organizations

Following from the thematic discussions held on 18 October 2024, Ukraine has invited the Zurich‑based European Business Association to share their experience on building the resilience of small and medium businesses in Ukraine.

4  2025 SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPIONS

The two runners-up of the 2025 ICC-ITC-WTO MSME Group Small Business Champions will join the Group to share their innovative proposals and updates. Mr. Divin Kouebatouka, Founder & CEO of GreenTech Africa based in the Republic of the Congo, will share the company's groundbreaking KUKIA biological substance to absorb industrial pollution, made from invasive water-hyacinth. Mr. Gonzalo Yrigoyen Cook will join to present Excuela, a Peruvian-based mobile-first learning platform that empowers frontline workers and vulnerable populations through accessible, data-driven education.

5  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECEMBER 2020 MSME PACKAGE

5.1  Reporting by Members

Members will be invited to share updates on actions taken to implement the December 2020 MSME package (_INF/MSME/4/Rev.2). Members will be invited to report on:

·_              Inclusion of MSME information in trade policy reviews (TPRs) – Members having undergone a recent Trade Policy Review will be invited to report on their inclusion of MSME information in their TPRs (Annex 1 of _INF/MSME/4/Rev.2);

·_              Actions taken to support the Global Trade Helpdesk (Annex 2);

·_              Trade facilitation measures for MSMEs (Annex 3);

·_              Inclusion of MSMEs in the development of trade regulations to minimize regulatory burden (Annex 4);

·_              Implementation of the 2019 Integrated Database Decision (Annex 5).

·_              Actions taken to facilitate MSME access to finance, including trade finance, and cross-border payments (Annex 6).

6  ANNUAL REPORT

Members will have the opportunity to share their comments on the draft 2025 Annual Report _INF/MSME/R/50 at the meeting. The draft report will be further revised after the December session to incorporate discussions held at the meeting and MSME Group members will be invited to adopt the revised draft ad referendum.

7  GOING FORWARD - MSME GROUP WORK PROGRAMME

Considerations for post-MC14 including the structure of work and thematic discussions.

8  OTHER BUSINESS

II ORGANIZATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

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