(Geneva) – The Government of Germany announced that it would commit €2 million toward the work of the International Trade Centre (ITC) in 2020. The financial support will underpin the organization’s efforts to strengthen sustainable economic development in developing countries by improving the international competitiveness and export performance of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in sub-Sahara Africa and least developed countries.
An agreement confirming the German support to ITC was signed in Geneva by Ambassador Hans-Peter Jugel, Germany’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, and ITC Executive Director Arancha González.
Thanks to German support, ITC is able to play an active role in working with member states and businesses in the shared effort towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. The grant will be deployed to support ITC’s work on environmental and social sustainability, such as the T4SD project, institutional strengthening, e-commerce, transparency in trade, and the creation of economic opportunities for women and other marginalized groups.
‘At ITC we very pleased with Germany affirming its support for the organization and the work of its staff,’ Ms. González said. ‘Continued German funding means continuity in our work to boost trade opportunities for MSMEs, support job creation and focus ITC’s support to where it is most needed.’
Ambassador Jugel said: ‘ITCs mandate puts it in a unique position to foster sustainable and inclusive economic development. Germany’s continued financial commitment will support key areas of ITCs work in 2020 such as green growth, climate conducive trade and the inclusion of women as entrepreneurs.’
About ITC – The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
For more information, visit www.intracen.org.
International Trade Centre
Jarle Hetland, Media Officer
P: + 41 22 730 0145
M: + 41 79 582 9180
E: hetland@intracen.org
