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The International Trade Centre (ITC) () is a multilateral agency which has a joint mandate with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoni ...
(UN) through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The headquarters of the ITC are in
Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Situa ...
, and the agency employs around 300 employees from over 80 different nationalities.


History

ITC is the successor to the International Trade Information Centre, which the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) established in 1964 to assist the exports of developing countries. An agreement was reached between the GATT and the newly established UNCTAD to create a joint subsidiary in 1967. The International Trade Centre (ITC) was established on 1 January 1968. The ITC has a joint mandate with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN) through the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The ITC is the focal point for trade-related technical assistance.


Programmes

The ITC is involved in projects providing trade-related technical assistance in countries all over the world.


Advancing Afghan Trade

In 2016, the
European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are located primarily in Europe, Europe. The union has a total area of ...
(EU) and the ITC launched the "Afghanistan: Trade for Economic Growth & Regional Cooperation" initiative in response to
Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is borde ...
’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). The initiative aims to use trade as a means of promoting economic growth, creating jobs, reducing poverty, and improving regional cooperation in Afghanistan. The initiative consists of a three-year plan (2016 - 2019), and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is involved in its implementation. It is funded by the EU and has a budget of 4.5 million euros.


Ethical Fashion Initiative

The Ethical
Fashion Fashion is a form of self-expression and autonomy at a particular period and place and in a specific context, of clothing, footwear, lifestyle, accessories, makeup, hairstyle, and body posture. The term implies a look defined by the fash ...
Initiative focuses on the specific skills of artisans and brings them to known fashion brands such as Stella McCartney,
Marni The name Marni originates from several languages, including Hebrew, meaning "rejoice", and Latin as a variant of "Marina", meaning "of the sea". It also has derivations from Gaelic and Swahili. "Marni" and "Marnie" are the two most common spelli ...
, Vivienne Westwood, Edun, and Camper. This synergy helps artisans from developing countries, such as
Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
,
Burkina Faso Burkina Faso (, ; , ff, 𞤄𞤵𞤪𞤳𞤭𞤲𞤢 𞤊𞤢𞤧𞤮, italic=no) is a landlocked country in West Africa with an area of , bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana t ...
, and Haiti, to gain a living while exposing the designers to unique skills and handmade goods. The initiative also involves mentorship programmes for aspiring African designers and collaborations on the continent.


Market analysis tools

ITC developed several free-of-charge online market analysis tools, such as the Export Potential Map,ITC, I. (2017). Home , Export Potential Map. Exportpotential.intracen.org. Retrieved 8 September 2017, from http://exportpotential.intracen.org/ Investment Map,ITC, I. (2017). Foreign investment opportunities, FDI statistics, company data, trade and tariff data. Investmentmap.org. Retrieved 8 September 2017, from http://www.investmentmap.org/ Market Access Map, Procurement Map,ITC, I. (2017). Procurement Map - Home. Procurementmap.intracen.org. Retrieved 8 September 2017, from http://procurementmap.intracen.org/ Standard Map,ITC, I. (2017). Standardsmap.org. Retrieved 8 September 2017, from http://www.standardsmap.org/ and Trade Map.


EuroMed Trade and Investment Facilitation Mechanism

The EuroMed Trade and Investment Facilitation Mechanism comprises a free-of-charge online portal for country and product-specific information on tariffs and duties, import and export procedures, and market requirements. There are frequent information updates thanks to a network of national focal points in each participating Mediterranean country. The EuroMed Helpdesk is available in English, French, Arabic, and Turkish. The goal is to boost economic integration as EuroMed countries often do not engage in
intra-regional trade Regional Integration is a process in which neighboring countries enter into an agreement in order to upgrade cooperation through common institutions and rules. The objectives of the agreement could range from economic to political to enviro ...
due partly to a lack of availability and transparency of trade-related information. The project is funded by the EU while the ITC is in charge of its implementation.


Ready4 Trade Central Asia

The Ready4Trade Central Asia programme works to promote international trade in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan Tajikistan (, ; tg, Тоҷикистон, Tojikiston; russian: Таджикистан, Tadzhikistan), officially the Republic of Tajikistan ( tg, Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон, Jumhurii Tojikiston), is a landlocked country in Centr ...
,
Turkmenistan Turkmenistan ( or ; tk, Türkmenistan / Түркменистан, ) is a country located in Central Asia, bordered by Kazakhstan to the northwest, Uzbekistan to the north, east and northeast, Afghanistan to the southeast, Iran to the s ...
,
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan (, ; uz, Ozbekiston, italic=yes / , ; russian: Узбекистан), officially the Republic of Uzbekistan ( uz, Ozbekiston Respublikasi, italic=yes / ; russian: Республика Узбекистан), is a doubly landlocked co ...
, and it is funded by the EU.


EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance

The EU-Sri Lanka Trade-Related Assistance project aims to increase the trade competitiveness of Sri Lankan Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs) in regional and EU markets. The project has a duration of four years and is worth 8 million euros, funded by the EU. It supports SME export competitiveness and value addition in various sectors, such as spices, food, and information technology.ITC, I. (2017). SheTrades Global. Intracen.org. Retrieved 8 September 2017, from http://www.intracen.org/shetradesglobal/ The project addresses compliance standards and efficiencies in cross-border procedures, which are key constraints to market access, especially for SMEs.


Gambia Youth Empowerment Project YEP

The Gambia Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) aims to enhance the skills and employability of potential and returning migrants. The ITC supports youth employment and entrepreneurship through vocational training and partnerships with domestic and international skills development institutions and the private sector.ITC, I. (2017). Trade for Sustainable Development Forum 2017. Intracen.org. Retrieved 8 September 2017, from http://www.intracen.org/itc/events/t4sd-forum-2017/


Netherlands Trust Fund – Phase III (NTF III)

The
Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
Trust Fund III (NTF III) - Export Sector Competitiveness Programme launched in 2013 as a partnership between the Dutch Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI), affiliated with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ( nl, link=no, Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken; BZ) is the Netherlands' ministry responsible for foreign relations, foreign policy, international development, international trade, diaspora and matters dealing wi ...
, and the ITC. The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of IT services in
Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mo ...
,
Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
, and
Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The ...
, the tourism sector in
Myanmar Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John Wells explai ...
, the avocado producers in
Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
, and coffee plantations in
Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The ...
.


Non-Tariff Measures

The Non-Tariff Measures programme provides an interactive platform that fosters transparency and understanding of the obstacles that non-tariff measures pose to international trade by limiting exports and imports through specific compliances. The programme is a multi-agency initiative that helps countries find solutions that take their needs into account and is collaborating closely with national and regional stakeholders.


Promoting Intra-regional Trade

The Promoting Intra-regional Trade programme launched in 2013 and focuses on increasing the export competitiveness of honey, mango, and spice-producing SMEs in
Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi , ...
, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Zambia. It is a three-year programme implemented by the ITC in collaboration with lead organizations in each country. The Government of Finland finances the Promoting Intra-regional Trade Programme.


Women and Trade

The Women and Trade Programme is an initiative aiming at connecting 1 million women entrepreneurs to trade by 2020. This initiative contributes directly to the
SDG The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked objectives designed to serve as a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future".United Nations (2017) R ...
number 5 by empowering women.


SheTrades

The SheTrades initiative offers women entrepreneurs an online platform to connect to markets. The SheTrades app allows female entrepreneurs to share information about their companies, increasing their visibility and enabling them to internationalize, which helps to include more women entrepreneurs in the supply chains of corporations. Greenbell Communications of Kenya teamed up with
Google Google LLC () is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company focusing on Search Engine, search engine technology, online advertising, cloud computing, software, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, ar ...
and CI&T to develop a suggestion. The SheTrades platform was launched in 2015 at the International Women in Business Forum in
Nairobi Nairobi ( ) is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The name is derived from the Maasai phrase ''Enkare Nairobi'', which translates to "place of cool waters", a reference to the Nairobi River which flows through the city. The city proper ...
. Organizations signed on to the platform to verify women entrepreneurs are members of their networks.


Youth and Trade Programme

The Youth and Trade Programme focuses on providing a strong environment in which young entrepreneurs can evolve and receive assistance when needed. This helps them grow and internationalize while providing income opportunities, which helps the economy grow. The programme contributes directly to the
Sustainable Development Goal The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked objectives designed to serve as a "shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future".United Nations (2017) R ...
4 (Skills for entrepreneurship) and goal 8 (decent work and inclusive growth).


Tools


Export Potential Map

The Export Potential Map is an online tool that allows businesses and countries to identify which goods and services to export and their destination. Through the precise economic analysis provided by the Export Potential Map, companies can target new markets and policymakers can optimize their policies and support programmes for their exporters. The Export Potential Map covers information about 222 countries and territories.


Investment Map

The Investment Map is designed to help investment promotion agencies (IPAs) in defining priority sectors for investment promotion, identifying potential investors in a given sector, identifying competitor countries for inward investment, and defining opportunities for bilateral investment. It holds a vast amount of information and statistics on foreign direct investment and international trade, tariff data and activities of multinational firms, and it allows analysis by country, trading partner, and sector. The Investment Map was developed by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and ITC in partnership with the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), which is part of the World Bank Group.


Market Access Map

The Market Access Map is a tool that provides information on applied customs tariffs, including MFN tariffs and preferences granted unilaterally and reciprocally in the framework of regional and bilateral trade agreements. Users can find ad valorem equivalents (AVEs) for non-ad valorem duties in order to compare tariffs across countries and simulate tariff reduction scenarios. The application also covers tariff rate quotas, trade remedies, rules of origin, corresponding documentation, bound tariffs of WTO members, non-tariff measures (NTMs), and trade flows to help users prioritize and analyse export markets and prepare for market access negotiations.


Rules of Origin Facilitator

The Rules of Origin Facilitator provides free and user-friendly access to ITC’s database of rules of origin and origin-related documentation in hundreds of trade agreements. The Facilitator is also combined with the huge tariff and trade agreements databases underlying the Market Access Map, resulting in a market-intelligence solution enabling companies, particularly ones from developing countries, to benefit from trade agreements worldwide. Currently, the Facilitator contains data from more than 250 FTAs applied by more than 190 countries. This database is expanding gradually with the ultimate goal to cover over 400 FTAs and preferential schemes that are currently active in the world. The Facilitator aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises to increase trade by taking advantage of global trade opportunities in the form of low-duty rates under trade agreements. The tool can also be used by policymakers, trade negotiators, economists, and various other users. Any user can look for information on origin criteria, other origin provisions, and trade documentation by entering the HS code of their product.


Procurement Map

The Procurement Map was designed by the ITC to boost entrepreneurship and market opportunities by offering users detailed information on over 150,000 public tenders. The map allows users to undertake a search by country or economic sector, which allows them to identify potential buyers.


Standard Map

The Standard Map provides verified and transparent information on more than 200 voluntary sustainability standards and other similar initiatives covering issues ranging from food quality to safety. This allows producers, manufacturers, brands, retailers, researchers, and policymakers to identify standards relevant for their own businesses, compare them and save, and share their sustainability diagnostic report with actors along the value chain via the
Sustainability Network The Sustainability Network ( pt, Rede Sustentabilidade, REDE) is an environmentalist Brazilian political party founded in 2013 by Marina Silva, a Brazilian politician from Acre. The party formed a strategic alliance with the Brazilian Socialist ...
. In addition to the map, ITC published a literature review series with technical papers on the impacts of private standards to international trade.


Trade Map

The Trade Map developed by the ITC offers strategic market research with detailed statistical information on international trade flows, which can help users gauge the competitiveness of national and sectoral trade performance and identify priority products and markets for trade development for both firms and trade support institutions.


Events


SheTrades Global

SheTrades Global is a two-day annual conference. The first forum took place in 2011, and until 2018, the conference was called Women Vendors Exhibition and Forum.


Trade for Sustainable Development Forum (T4SD)

The Trade for Sustainable Development Forum (T4SD) is an annual event organized by the ITC. T4SD connects communities in policy and business, and trade and sustainability, while challenging thought leaders to bridge the gap between debates on sustainability standards, supply chains, and international trade, which is beneficial in the journey towards achieving the UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs).


Trade Promotion Organization (TPO) World Conference and Network

Created in 1996 with the intention to offer a platform to facilitate the dynamic exchange of information, good practices, experiences, and export-oriented services collaborations among Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs), the Trade Promotion Organization Network provides a platform where individual organizations may benefit from the synergies of TPOs working together in order to achieve continual and mutual improvement through online and offline forums. The TPO Network World Conference takes place every two years and is open to all trade support institutions mandated to provide trade-related technical support services. During the conference, TPO Network Awards are awarded to leading national trade promotion organisations mandated by their governments to promote the export promotion strategies of their countries. TPOs participate in the TPO Network Awards in categories defined according to the economic development status of the countries in which their national headquarters are located.


The World Export Development Forum (WEDF)

The World Export Development Forum (WEDF) is an annual global platform with the goal to develop SMEs. The first conference was held in 1999, and the event is attended by more than 600 senior national and international policymakers, heads of trade support organizations, business leaders, and representatives of international agencies. WEDF comprises high-level plenaries, workshops, and facilitates business-to-business meetings, enabling participants to increase their practical knowledge in the latest innovations, processes, and policies, while expanding their networks.


Partner Events

ITC, with its goal to support
SMEs Superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) systems store energy in the magnetic field created by the flow of direct current in a superconducting coil which has been cryogenically cooled to a temperature below its superconducting critical ...
and their development impact in international trade, collaborates with its partner organizations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), for events in order to achieve its aim. Examples for this partnership include, amongst others, the WTO Public Forum and Aid for Trade conference.


Executive Directors

ITC had, since its creation in 1964, six executive directors. Twice in its history, the position was vacant, both in the early seventies and the early nineties. ITC's executive director is a senior international civil servant of the United Nations with the level of
Assistant Secretary-General An under-secretary-general of the United Nations (USG) is a senior official within the United Nations System, normally appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the secretary-general for a renewable term of four years. Under-s ...
. ITC's executive director and the Deputy-Executive Director are appointed by the heads of its two parent organizations, the Director-General of the WTO and the Secretary-General of the UNCTAD.


Funding

The work of the ITC is financed by contributions from the private sector and resources provided by beneficiary countries and international organizations.ITC, I. (2017). Retrieved 8 September 2017, from http://www.intracen.org/about-itc/ITC-Funders/


See also

*
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoni ...
* World Trade Organization * United Nations Conference on Trade and Development *
Trade and development Trade can be a key factor in economic development. The prudent use of trade can boost a country's development and create absolute gains for the trading partners involved. Trade has been touted as an important tool in the path to development by prom ...


References

{{Authority control United Nations Development Group United Nations General Assembly subsidiary organs International development organizations International trade organizations World Trade Organization Organizations established in 1964 United Nations organizations based in Geneva