Publications

What keeps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana from being competitive in international markets is often not of their own making, such as unreliable electricity and high interest rates. This report outlines these and other findings from the SME Competitiveness Survey, which surveyed...

Le rapport de cette année est centré sur les échanges régionaux, la forme la plus courante d’échange pour les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME). Il montre que les accords commerciaux régionaux et profonds favorisent une croissance inclusive. Ces accords attirent l’activité des...

BRICS countries – Brazil, the Russian Federation, India, China, and South Africa – are becoming increasingly important players in the global e-commerce market. This joint report by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and ITC examines business-to-clients e-commerce markets in...

This guide offers small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) insights on negotiation and collaboration with lead firms in international value chains. It addresses topics such as compliance with standards and regulations, contractual relationships, production and performance management, types of...

Difficult customs procedures, barriers to investment, and labour regulations limiting movement and hiring of personnel are the most stringent obstacles for logistics services providers in developing countries.This study finds that policymakers need to respond to traders’ concerns by promoting...

Small firms and women-led enterprises can connect to global markets by boosting their digital capacity. This is an area where Aid for Trade can have a big impact. Evidence shows a significant connectivity gap between small and large firms, and between firms managed/owned by men or women. This report...

Cette première enquête de l'ITC sur le commerce électronique livre de précieux renseignements grâce auxquels les pays vont pouvoir concevoir des politiques et des pratiques qui répondent aux véritables besoins du secteur privé sur le terrain. Pour que les micros, petites et moyennes...

This year’s report focuses on regional trade, the most common form of trade for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It finds that deep regional trade agreements help deliver inclusive growth. These agreements attract value chain activity and narrow the competitiveness gap between large and...

Trade promotion and investment megatrends were the focus of the 2016 Trade Promotion Organizations Network World Conference and Awards in Marrakesh, Morocco.The report includes a summary of discussions with participants from 85 countries. They addressed trends including digital transformation, the...

Over 90% of Bangladeshi exporters are facing regulatory and procedural obstacles to trade. A survey of 1,000 companies in Bangladesh identified long waiting times, administrative hurdles and lack of accredited laboratories in the country to be the main causes of the reported difficulties when...

Being a women-owned company negatively affects the credibility of their business, say Indonesian women entrepreneurs in the services sector.They also need better access to patents, internet access, quality certifications, marketing opportunities and customer outreach to run a business successfully,...

Women make up almost half of Kenya’s labour force, yet they remain on the margins of business ownership – only 9% of Kenya’s firms are majority women-owned. Kenyan women entrepreneurs say they need better access to loans, business registries, patents, quality certifications and affordable...