ITC publications bring the business voice to sustainable trade, with a focus on developing countries. We offer guidance for trade policymakers, business support organizations and small firms. Our reports offer insights to make trade more inclusive, green, digital and competitive.
E-commerce is a vital part of commercial activity, yet few provisions on digital trade reference gender equality. This report explores policy reforms needed to bridge the gender divide on digital access, adoption and usage. The report recommends building e-commerce capacity focused on gender...
A blueprint for small and medium-sized enterprises Advanced economies have developed highly competitive and innovative e-commerce services, making it simple for small enterprises to set up online stores, transport their goods and receive payments. Although entrepreneurs in developing countries...
Online marketplaces are the dominant form of e-commerce for consumer goods in developed countries. They are also prominent across Africa, offering great potential to serve a new generation of consumers and open opportunities for small entrepreneurs. But little is known about these marketplaces in...
East Africa produces some of the world's most valuable specialty coffees, yet only a small share of profits go to coffee producers. Using case studies from Africa and beyond, the report explores how to get better prices for green coffee beans, learn about branding and develop business partnerships...
Many micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) face significant barriers to realizing their potential in digital trade. From a lack of knowledge and skills to the unavailability of services or lack of access to a supportive environment, small businesses may find it challenging to...
Trade policy for women took an international leap with the Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment, endorsed by more than 120 countries at the 11th WTO Ministerial Conference of 2017. This report, produced under the auspices of the International Gender Champions’...
This report supports the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender by offering an analytical framework outlining trade and trade-related impacts on women (and men) through the employment, consumption and public provision channels. It presents a step-by-step approach...
This report draws from the outcomes of the 2023 World Export Development Forum, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in June 2023. Trade voices from around the globe share their insights on green, digital and inclusive paths to trade. New trade routes are emerging in response to...
COVID-19 is reshaping global value chains and policy landscapes. In this brief, leaders from government, business and women’s economic empowerment networks identify key trends and potential scenarios for women in trade. The brief presents nine actions that governments, corporations and the...
Few studies examine information technology and business process management in Africa. This report, based on research and interviews, analyses the tech sectors of 11 African countries and examines enabling factors such as information and communication technology infrastructure, government incentives...
This report applies a gender lens framework to government procurement through the public provision, consumption and employment channels. It identifies opportunities to develop a gender lens for government procurement in the World Trade Organization to inform and advance the debate among negotiators,...
Based on data from the International Trade Centre's small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) Competitiveness Survey, this report highlights the importance of business support, financial services and digital technologies for Zimbabwean firms. Those with access to these resources are more competitive,...
