The 2030 Agenda and improving access to trade finance: the role of the WTO and other international institutions

Schmitz, Birgit / Clara Brandi
External Publications (2016)

published on ICTSD Opinion 19 January 2016

In the fall of 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) were adopted by the global community. The private sector has an important part to play in their implementation. Many of the global goals refer to support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which provide two thirds of all formal jobs in developing countries. For example, SDG 8 (“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”), and 9 (“Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation”) are good news for SMEs.

How could international institutions, like the WTO, help to improve access to trade finance, specifically to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access global value chains?

The WTO and other institutions could do several things to address the difficulties associated with trade finance in developing countries more effectively. This contribution outlines key recommendations.