Belgium commits €2 million to strengthen work on inclusive and sustainable trade in Africa (en)

(Geneva) – The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium today committed to providing €2 million in funding to support the International Trade Centre’s work in 2019 and 2020 on inclusive and sustainable trade, particularly in Africa.

Under the terms of the agreement, signed in Geneva by Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Didier Reynders and International Trade Centre Executive Director Arancha González, the Belgian funding will support the International Trade Centre’s efforts to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The Belgian funding will be aligned to the country’s ongoing support to the development of private-sector competitiveness in developing countries, allowing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to fully exploit the benefits of international trade.

In addition to its focus on inclusive trade – for women and youth in particular –Belgium’s contribution will also help the International Trade Centre step up its support towards making African countries e commerce ready, with a view to creating new business opportunities, enable companies to reach new markets and help connect MSMEs to global value chains.

‘The International Trade Centre is grateful for this renewed confidence by the Government of Belgium in our work using trade to lift people out of poverty,’ said International Trade Centre Executive Director Arancha González. ‘We look forward to partnering with Belgium to step up our joint goal of ensuring greater inclusiveness of women and youth in trade across Africa.’

Belgium Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Affairs Didier Reynders said: ‘Fostering inclusive trade is a key priority of our trade policy. The partnership with the International Trade Centre concluded today is an important instrument to make this happen in Africa’.

Note to the Editor

About ITC - The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

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International Trade Centre
Jarle Hetland, Media Officer
P: + 41 22 730 0145
M: + 41 79 582 9180
E: hetland [at] intracen.org (hetland[at]intracen[dot]org)