Stories

Germany commits €2m support to ITC in 2021

10 November 2020
ITC News
Grant to help strengthen export competitiveness of MSMEs and sustainable economic development

The Government of Germany has committed €2 million ($2.3m) to support the International Trade Centre (ITC) in 2021.

ITC will use the funding to foster sustainable economic development by improving the international competitiveness and export performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and least developed countries.

Ambassador Hans-Peter Jugel, Germany’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva and ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton signed the agreement in Geneva during a virtual ceremony.

• ‘ITC has a unique role when it comes to improving the international competitiveness of MSMEs,’ Ambassador Jugel said. ‘With a view to achieving the SDGs by 2030, Germany’s continued financial commitment will support key areas of ITCs work, including environmental and social sustainability and the economic empowerment of women.’

• Ms. Coke-Hamilton said: ‘ITC and Germany have had a strong and longstanding partnership. I thank Germany for its 2021 financial commitment, which will be essential in our work to build back better and bolder for the MSMEs at the core of recovery. ITC will continue to place a premium on supporting the base of the pyramid and the most vulnerable, including women, youth and poor communities.’

Germany has been a longstanding partner of ITC, having provided financial support through annual grant agreements since 2003. The new German grant agreement will enable ITC to continue strengthening developing countries’ international competitiveness and emphasize creating more enabling business environments.