MICRO SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION AGENDA : WHAT TO EXPECT?

In 2017, the World Trade Organization (WTO) members approved a joint initiative to identify obstacles
to the insertion of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in international trade flows. The issue
has been discussed within the scope of an Informal Group that currently has the voluntary membership
of 95 of the 164 members of the organization. The Informal Group has been circulated
recommendations in defense of more concrete and effective tools to benefit these companies due to
their growing importance in the global social and economic context. Considering the soft character of
such an initiative within the scope of the organization, it is possible to consider that the discussions and
recommendations have the potential to promote good practices, stimulating the adoption of different
policies to support and promote the business internationalization.