ITC Press Conference

The urgent need to create trade and employment opportunities by increasing the competitiveness of SMEs will be at the core of the discussions between global thinkers, business leaders and practitioners at the 14th World Export Development Forum (WEDF), to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 16-17 September 2014. For the first time ever ITC, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, will bring its flagship event to Africa. Hosts: The Government of Rwanda through the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). The global forum will be dedicated to business-led development. WEDF will bring together over 400 representatives of governments, the private sector and TSIs from around the world to contribute to the global debate on ways to achieve trade-led inclusive sustainable development through entrepreneurship, trade competitiveness of SMEs, employment and economic growth. This year, WEDF will be held in conjunction with ITC’s Women Vendors Exhibition and Forum (WVEF) the flagship event of the Global Platform for Action on Sourcing from Women Vendors. There are 8-10 million women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries, representing 31 to 38% of total SMEs yet they receive a paltry share of procurement contracts. Led by the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Global Platform is a 10-year initiative that aims to increase the amount of corporate, government and institutional procurement secured by women vendors for the ultimate purpose of bringing economic benefit to women and their communities.
Arancha González, Executive Director, ITC