Businesses

Embracing new digital trade opportunities

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Google and the International Trade Centre (ITC) collaborate for the Digital Export Enablement Programme (DEEP) for small businesses in the ASEAN region (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

By equipping them with digital, export-relevant skills, the programme will help 1,000 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) from across ASEAN member states to grow their business internationally. 

We see a future where every small business from ASEAN can take full advantage of digital trade opportunities to scale their business internationally.

Driven by our belief in the power of cross-border commerce, DEEP is facilitating a unique cross-border entrepreneurial journey for small businesses from Southeast Asia, by delivering a series of trainings, access to digital platforms and practical workshops/sessions that will strengthen the capacity of MSMEs from 10 ASEAN markets and will enable them to engage in cross-border digital trade.

The hybrid training programme will cover the fundamentals of market research as well as developing skills in digital marketing and creating digital export strategies for firms. 

Why should small businesses apply? 

You’ll become part of a network of entrepreneurs and experts, and benefit from: 

• Coaching on market research to identify and compare trade opportunities;

• An online self-driven e-commerce course tailored for small businesses;

• Access to a global e-commerce community of free resources;

• Coaching on digital marketing (only for the most motivated 150 businesses!);

• Access to Google ads credits and/or Google consultation support for eligible SMEs;

• A certificate from ICC, Google and ITC upon completion of the programme.

If you’d like to participate in the programme, you must: 

• Be a micro, small or medium-sized business of up to 100 employees. 

• Be located in one of the ASEAN countries (Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam).

• Have at least one business online channel (website, marketplace store, social media account).

• Have a strong interest in/or plan to explore markets in the ASEAN region and beyond. 

Companies are invited to apply by April 30th. Applications will be reviewed by the Programme Steering Committee (ICC, Google, ITC) according to the criteria. The training will start in mid-May for a duration of 3 months. More detailed information will be provided to successful firms in the application process. 

The SheTrades initiative at the International Trade Centre (ITC) has changed the economic lives of three million women in 30 countries by connecting them to markets. We have opened 12 regional hubs across Africa, Asia, South America, the Caribbean and Europe, and we continue to grow.

The initiative centres on empowering women engaging in international trade and creating a women-inclusive fairer business ecosystem. We help them overcome barriers and, with them, identify areas that urgently need to be addressed.

Our flagship event, SheTrades Global, brings together women entrepreneurs from all these regions. For women whose businesses are ready to export, they have a unique chance to connect meet potential buyers, investors and partners.

Previous editions of SheTrades Global — held in Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Türkiye, Brazil, Rwanda, Mexico, and China — included representatives from over 85 countries and generated over $80 million of new business for women entrepreneurs. 

Participation is free.

With our support, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) who need strengthening can become competitive and capture more value and opportunities from trade.

We tailor solutions for MSMEs that reflect their specific needs, such as those of  informal and small-scale producers, aspiring exporters in the formal economy, MSMEs with potential for a higher proportion of exports, active exporters with demonstrated capacity to trade, enterprises that trade indirectly by integrating into value chains, and woman and youth entrepreneurs who face specific challenges.  

Reducing global poverty  and enhancing economic security are only possible with competitive MSMEs. Our programmes, projects and tools are designed to amplify MSME firm-level capacities to trade, work toward a more supportive business ecosystem, support more conducive policies and regulatory environments and provide business, trade and market intelligence.

ITC works with business support organization (BSOs), including regional, national and sub-national entities charged with supplying trade and investment support services to their MSME members.                                                                                                               

We provide benchmarking, diagnostic tools and advisory services. We strengthen BSO governance, managerial, operational and strategic capacities. We work with BSO networks, including cross-border ones, by developing joint strategies, addressing overlaps and gaps, and increasing the effectiveness of the ecosystem.                                 

We offer management training and skills development, enable access to finance and investment, provide guidance in implementing environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors, increase digital literacy and e-commerce capabilities, facilitate cooperation between enterprises, and advocacy.  

Policymakers are important ITC clients. We support governments on their trade development strategies and making policy and regulatory environments more favorable for micro, small and medium- sized enterprises (MSMEs).    

We work to strengthen policymakers’ understanding of MSME needs in relation to e-commerce and digitalization, and creating environments conducive to e-commerce development at the national, regional and multilateral levels.                                       

We provide tools for evidence-based business decisions, policymaking and advocacy. We facilitate access to information on trade dynamics, market access conditions, analytical products and services, growth potential and policy choices, possible business partners and business operations.