Germany commits €1.9 million to ITC in 2019 (en)

(Geneva) The German government today committed to providing €1.9 million in funding to support the International Trade Centre’s work in 2019 to foster sustainable economic development by improving the international competitiveness and export performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries, particularly in sub-Sahara Africa and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

Under the terms of the agreement, signed in Geneva by German Ambassador and Permanent Representative Michael Freiherr von Ungern-Sternberg and ITC Executive Director Arancha González, the German funds will support ITC’s efforts to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, the international community’s ambitious agenda to eradicate extreme poverty, achieve environmental sustainability, and curb economic and social inequality by 2030.

Germany is a longstanding supporter of ITC, having provided grants of identical value in 2018 and 2017. The latest German grant will continue to be focused on connecting MSMEs in developing countries to export markets and place particular emphasis on environmental and social sustainability, transparency in trade, and the creation of economic opportunities for women and other marginalized groups. The contribution will also afford ITC the space to, develop, test and roll out new tools and approaches that benefit the base of the pyramid.

‘ITC is grateful for the confidence the people and government of Germany continue to place in our work,’ said ITC Executive Director Arancha González. ‘We look forward to partnering with Germany to maximize the contribution of trade to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals.’

German Ambassador Michael von Ungern-Sternberg said ‘One of the main comparative advantages of ITC is its focus on the private sector, especially on SMEs in developing countries and with a particular emphasis on supporting women in trade. I am pleased that Germany continues to support ITC’s work in this regard.’


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)