Global conference in Paris to strengthen business ecosystems (en)

(Geneva/Paris) Trade and investment promotion organizations around the world will meet in Paris on 25-26 October to explore innovative ways to strengthen small firms in a fast-changing business environment.

The 2018 World Trade Promotion Conference (WTPO) will be hosted by Business France and the International Trade Centre (ITC), a development agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

The conference – which takes on the theme Trade and Investment Ecosystems: Delivering for Growth this year – will gather hundreds of trade and investment leaders from 80 countries.

Register for the conference here. 

See the conference programme here.

Supporting small firms

A key role of national trade and investment promotion organizations is to support small and medium-sized enterprises in their countries with market intelligence, skills and networks needed to tap new markets.

The rise of digital tools and platforms in particular is changing the way players interact and do business – making this a priority area for organizations to harness. A related priority is measuring and reporting impact.

ITC research has shown these organizations contribute directly to national gains in productivity and competitiveness. A recent study of European trade promotion organizations showed that for each dollar invested in these agencies, they generated an additional $87 in exports and an additional $384 for a country’s gross domestic product.

Recognizing excellence

As part of this biennial conference, trade promotion organizations that demonstrate excellence in helping small firms trade across borders receive awards.

The 11 organizations nominated for this year’s awards are from Austria, Egypt, Ghana, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nigeria, State of Palestine, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Korea and Switzerland.

The shortlisted organizations are competing in three categories: best use of a partnership; best use of information technology; and best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable. Winners will be announced on 25 October.

Notes for the Editor:

The 12th WTPO Conference and Awards will take place at the Pierre Mendès France Conference Centre in Paris, France, on 25-26 October. Created in 1996, the conference takes place every two years. Conference hosts are selected by their peers.

This year’s conference will bring together more than 200 representatives of trade promotion organizations, policymakers and business leaders from over 70 economies. For more information about the event, visit www.tponetwork.net.

For media representatives:

Journalists interested in covering the event may register here.

To schedule media interviews with ITC Executive Director Arancha González or a representative of Business France, please contact the media officers below.

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. For more information, visit www.intracen.org.

About Business France - Business France supports the international development of the French economy. It promotes France’s companies, business image and nationwide attractiveness as an investment location. Founded in 2015 through a merger between UBIFRANCE and the Invest in France Agency, Business France is present across France and in 70 countries around the world.

ITC Media Contact:
Susanna Pak
Media Officer
Tel: +41 22 730 0651
Email: pak [at] intracen.org (pak[at]intracen[dot]org)

Business France Media Contact:
Cynthia Odsi
Media Officer
Tel: +33 1 40 73 74 15
Email: cynthia.odsi [at] businessfrance.fr (cynthia[dot]odsi[at]businessfrance[dot]fr)