UNNExT Guide on Making the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Work for SMEs
This guide for policy makers and trainers provides a succinct overview of articles of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) particularly relevant to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and identifies examples of SME-specific program, measures and interventions that can support the implementation of such provisions. The guide highlights the potential role of SME Centres in disseminating information on trade procedures, facilitating SME consultations on trade facilitation matters and providing special services for SMEs to participate in AEO programs and access single window facilities. Several steps that authorities and agencies in charge of trade facilitation and SME development (which are in many countries under different ministries) may consider jointly taking as part of WTO TFA implementation are outlined as a practical way forward. A regulatory review checklist for small business trade facilitation is also proposed.