High-level event hosted by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and ITC in the margins of MC12 “Small business, big in e-commerce”

11:00 am
 – 11:45 am
 (CET)
 Online 
Netherlands
ITC

In the margins of the 12th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC12), the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the International Trade Centre (ITC) are hosting a timely event on small business in e-commerce on 13 June, 11:00-11:45 CET, at ITC.

Please join:

  • H.E. Liesje Schreinemacher
     Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
  • Pamela Coke-Hamilton
    Executive Director of the International Trade Centre
  • Hon. Betty C. Maina
    Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development of Kenya
    (in person at the International Trade Centre)
  • Moulaye Tabouré
    Co-founder & CEO, ANKA
    (will join us live from Côte d’Ivoire)

This event provides a platform to discuss concrete challenges that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries face in the digital economy.

Participants will explore how new digital trade rules can contribute to bridging the digital divide. In that regard, the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce provides an excellent opportunity to address some of the challenges that SMEs in developing countries may face, for example through facilitation (e-signatures, paperless trade) and trust-building measures (consumer protection, protection of personal data). Rules on these important topics for the digital economy could benefit customers and citizens wherever they are based.

Moderated by ITC’s Chief of Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness Section Robert Skidmore, the discussion will focus on:

  • Practical challenges for SME participation in e-commerce and the digital economy that can be addressed through the WTO negotiations;
  • Key issues for developing and least developed countries in the JSI negotiations on e-commerce and how to ensure an inclusive outcome of the negotiations; and
  • Effective technical assistance to support SMEs’ participation in e-commerce.

We look forward to welcoming you at ITC, 54-56 rue de Montbrillant, Geneva. The event is followed by a light sandwich lunch.

*Places are limited. In-person participation is handled on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to confirmation. Thank you.