Publications

This report supports the World Trade Organization (WTO) Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender by offering an analytical framework outlining trade and trade-related impacts on women (and men) through the employment, consumption and public provision channels. It presents a step-by-step approach...

This major business survey shows that almost 80% of small firms that adopted advanced digital tools reported better production efficiency.

This report draws from the outcomes of the 2023 World Export Development Forum, held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in June 2023.   Trade voices from around the globe share their insights on green, digital and inclusive paths to trade. New trade routes are emerging in response to...

Small firms in developing countries are using social media to find new clients and generate trade. This guide advises on how to develop a successful social media strategy with a tight budget. Using real business cases and the latest ways to measure the real-time impact of social media campaigns,...

Being a women-owned company negatively affects the credibility of their business, say Indonesian women entrepreneurs in the services sector.

Boosting the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in Burkina Faso can make them more resilient to crises, ITC’s SME Competitiveness Survey and COVID-19 Business Impact Surveys find.  Limited access to finance, low certification rates and inadequate infrastructure are...

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.

COVID-19 is reshaping global value chains and policy landscapes. In this brief, leaders from government, business and women’s economic empowerment networks identify key trends and potential scenarios for women in trade. The brief presents nine actions that governments, corporations and the...

A largely untapped resource, Sri Lankan women have the potential to play a significant role in the country’s economy. Given the right tools and support, women entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka can achieve this potential and positively affect the global economy.

This report offers policy advice to explore synergies between the WTO Trade Facilitation and Information Technology Agreements. These agreements reinforce each other, and can boost trade. Used well, policymakers can set in motion technology-based national trade facilitation reforms, especially for...

Few studies examine information technology and business process management in Africa. This report, based on research and interviews, analyses the tech sectors of 11 African countries and examines enabling factors such as information and communication technology infrastructure, government incentives...

Saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, offers great potential for Afghan exporters. Developing a consistent brand for quality is the key to unlocking a ‘red gold’ rush, a priority sector of Afghanistan’s national export strategy.This guide outlines how to build a quality saffron sector...