INT/International Trade Centre

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The International Trade Centre (ITC) is a joint technical assistance agency of the UN Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). ITC supports developing countries to better integrate in to the global economy by building their trade capacity through technical assistance and training. ITC focuses on supporting private sector development, particularly the small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries. Most of ITC's assistance is directed to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The Agency promotes inclusive and sustainable development through trade and private sector development. Finland is a long-term partner to ITC. In 2015 Finland provided a 2 million euro grant to ITC that was used to support ITC's trade and market intelligence tools (over 500'000 users); support 20 developing countries to implement trade facilitation measures; and to strengthen trade support institutions 16 developing countries. In June 2016 ITC organized together with the Ministry an international forum on Women in Business in Finland. In 2016 the Ministry is providing a 3,175 million euro grant to the ITC technical assistance programmes for 2016 and 2017. The grant has four components: (I) Linking small business to market; (ii) Strengthening trade support institutions in developing countries (iii) Trade facilitation; (iv) Empowering women to trade.