Imfino News

Geneva, February 26, 2019 - Ireland reconfirms its partnership with the International Trade Centre to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth – with a focus on empowering women, youth and vulnerable groups – by committing EUR 800,000 in 2019.

International Trade Centre Executive Director Arancha González and Ciarán Cannon T.D., Irish Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development, signed a memorandum of understanding on 26 February at the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations and the World Trade Organization in Geneva.

The funds will be used to expand the International Trade Centre’s offering of global public goods, including its suite of online market analysis tools; to invest in innovation for corporate efficiency; to conduct research and development and launch pilot projects; and to finance new business development.

Minister Cannon said: ‘Ireland is pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the International Trade Centre to assist micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in least developed countries to develop their businesses and boost their income. This very much fits in with Ireland’s new Policy for International Development, to be launched shortly, and supports the great work of the International Trade Centre in contributing to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on leaving no one behind.’

Ms. González said: ‘I am pleased that the excellent partnership with Ireland has continued with the signing of this 2019 agreement. This flexible core financing allows the International Trade Centre to respond to our clients’ needs and demands and supports our investment in innovative new tools and methodologies. I welcome Ireland’s focus on sustainable and inclusive trade through targeted support to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, especially for women and young entrepreneurs.’

Funds will support the roll-out of projects that are replicable and scalable, as well as multi-year flagship programmes. These include the International Trade Centre’s work to strengthen trade and investment promotion organizations, develop and implement digital trade strategies, and the Refugee Employment and Skills Initiative.

About ITC - The International Trade Centre is the joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. ITC assists small and medium-sized enterprises in developing and transition economies to become more competitive in global markets, thereby contributing to sustainable economic development within the frameworks of the Aid-for-Trade agenda and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

For more information, visit www.intracen.org. Follow ITC on Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram