The WTO, WCO and ICC promote the integration of SMEs into Authorised Economic Operator programs

 

El WTO Informal Working Group on MSMEs, in collaboration with the World Customs Organization (WCO) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), presented a strategic study to integrate small businesses into the programs of Economic Authorized OperatorThe meeting aimed to reduce bureaucratic barriers and boost the internationalization of the global business fabric.

 

Strategic alliance for customs facilitation

 

During the fourth and final open meeting of 2025, the joint report, now available in Spanish, was officially launched. This report analyzes the participation levels of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs. It serves as a roadmap for customs administrations and policymakers.

 

Lazzat Daniyarova, Representing the OMA, and Valerie Piccard, CCIThey highlighted the importance of this tool. Piccard stressed that, while the study is a milestone, the focus must remain on the effective implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) of the WTO, noting that integration into AEO programs is a vital step towards more inclusive trade.

 

The Embassador Matthew Wilson De Barbados, the Group's coordinator, was recognized for his leadership in the initial launch of this report to the WCO SAFE Working Group in Brussels.

 

Global success stories and entrepreneurship

The session focused on the voice of entrepreneurs, presenting real-world examples of overcoming technical and logistical barriers. Below are the featured profiles and finalists of the "Small Business Champion" competition:

 

Company / Representative	Country	Sector / Innovation	Milestone in Internationalization
Kanemasa (Seiji Sekine)	Japan	Industrial manufacturing	Transformation from small factory (26 employees) to global exporter thanks to government support in finding reliable partners.
Creative Nature Superfoods (Julianne Ponan)	United Kingdom	Food (Allergen-free snacks)	Exporting to 17 economies overcoming labeling and documentation barriers through in-depth study of target markets.
Green Tech Africa (Divin Kouebatouka)	Republic of the Congo	Environmental Technology (KUKIA)	Water hyacinth absorbent fiber to clean oil pollutants, generating local employment.
School (Gonzalo Yrigoyen)	Peru	EdTech / Corporate Training	Low data consumption mobile learning platform for areas with low connectivity in Latin America.

 

New regional alliances and support in times of crisis

 

In the area of ​​regional cooperation, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Republic of Korea presented the APEC Startup Alliance for the Jeju 2025 Initiative. This public-private platform seeks to strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems in the Asia-Pacific region through annual forums and a platform of matchmaking to connect startups with investment partners.

 

For its part, Ana Derevyanko, executive director of the European Business Association (EBA)She shared the organization's experience supporting Ukrainian businesses. She highlighted initiatives such as the "business school for defenders," aimed at veterans and their families, and the "Small Talks" program, designed to navigate sustainable development amidst the uncertainty of war.

 

Roadmap to MC14: Artificial Intelligence

 

Looking ahead, Ambassador Wilson announced that the 2026 edition of the "Small Business Champions" will have a specific focus on the Artificial Intelligence (AI)To this end, the WTO, the ITC and the ITC will collaborate closely with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), launching the call for applications at the beginning of the year.

 

The meeting concluded with an eye toward the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for March 2026. The group will work to ensure that issues such as intellectual property and AI are addressed from the perspective of SMEs, ensuring that these technologies help small businesses trade more effectively.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about the WTO MSME Group

• What new action have the WTO and the WCO taken?
  A joint study on the integration of SMEs into Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs, designed to facilitate customs clearance and reduce logistics costs.
• What will be the thematic priority for 2026?
  Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on trade. A joint call for proposals with the ITU will be launched to award projects that use AI to promote the internationalization of SMEs.
• What regional initiatives were highlighted at the meeting?
  The APEC Startup Alliance (led by Korea) to connect ecosystems in Asia-Pacific and the EBA's business resilience programs in Ukraine.