TTP partners with ITC’s Global SME Ministerial on UN MSME Day - Trade Treasury Payments

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TTP partners with ITC’s Global SME Ministerial on UN MSME Day

Small businesses make up 90 per cent of firms and account for two-thirds of jobs worldwide. They are essential drivers of employment income and growth, particularly across emerging and developing markets. Yet despite their systemic role, the needs and priorities of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises remain largely absent from global trade policymaking.

On this UN MSME Day the International Trade Centre is calling for a sharper focus on small business inclusion ahead of the first Global SME Ministerial in Johannesburg this July. Trade Treasury Payments is proud to join as official media partner. TTP Trade Editor Carter Hoffman will be on the ground covering the ministerial as momentum builds to place MSMEs at the centre of the global economic agenda.

The term MSME itself is relatively new in the trade policy lexicon. Once labelled simply as small exporters or small businesses the growing use of the term MSMEs signals a more inclusive framing that captures the diversity and nuance of the small business landscape. This evolution reflects a wider shift in global trade thinking toward enabling a broader base of participation.

A new ITC explainer video launched today invites viewers to explore what defines an MSME and why such a definition matters. Clear definitions influence which firms are eligible for support and how policies are shaped. For entrepreneurs, the implications are direct and tangible.

From digitalisation to decarbonisation MSMEs are often the first to feel the effects of shifting regulatory and consumer demands. Yet many are also pioneering new approaches in response.

To spotlight this innovation ITC partnered with the World Trade Organization’s Informal Working Group on MSMEs, the International Chamber of Commerce and UN Trade and Development to host the 2025 Small Business Champions Award Ceremony. The initiative which began in 2021 recognises MSMEs with impactful sustainability and inclusion strategies.

This year’s winners are SilaiWali from India and NetZero Pallets from Viet Nam. SilaiWali is a social enterprise that upcycles textile waste from clothing factories to produce handcrafted goods made by refugees. NetZero Pallets turns agricultural waste into eco friendly transport pallets supporting circular economy principles in logistics.

Each winner receives four thousand US dollars in prize money alongside tailored training and mentoring designed to scale their impact.

The upcoming Global SME Ministerial Meeting will take place in Johannesburg from 22 to 24 July under the theme Navigating New Business Frontiers. The event is being co hosted by the South African Department of Small Business Development and the International Trade Centre and is expected to attract more than 50 ministers along with business leaders development partners and international organisations.

The goal is clear to elevate MSMEs in global economic discourse and identify concrete actions to support their growth. Policy recommendations emerging from the ministerial will feed directly into the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November and the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference in early 2026.

Women and youth-led enterprises will be a key focus, with sessions dedicated to building resilience through digital and green transformation. Trade Treasury Payments will cover the ministerial sessions, interviews, and behind-the-scenes perspectives through a dedicated editorial series.

Register for the Global SME Ministerial Meeting here. Follow Trade Treasury Payments for full coverage before during and after the event.