The winners of the 2025 Small Business Champions Competition have been announced, recognizing Silaiwali from India and NetZero Pallets from Vietnam. Silaiwali is noted for empowering women artisans by transforming waste fabric into handcrafted products, while NetZero Pallets focuses on converting biomass into carbon-neutral shipping materials.
This year's competition, themed “Completing the Loop: Helping Small Businesses Contribute to the Circular Economy,” was organized by the Informal Working Group on MSMEs, in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala congratulated the winners, emphasizing the critical role of MSMEs in global value chains. She highlighted their importance in innovation and sustainable development, stating that "they’re the ones that need the stability and predictability of the world trading system the most."
Remarks were also delivered by ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton, ICC Secretary General John Denton, and Deputy Secretary-General of UNCTAD Pedro Manuel Moreno. They all reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a business ecosystem where MSMEs can thrive.
Discussions during the event included capacity building for MSMEs through digital transformation. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) introduced its Cross-Border Paperless Trade Database as a resource hub. China presented its customs platform aimed at simplifying cross-border procedures for MSMEs. The ITC updated attendees on its digital trade policy work and initiatives under the African Continental Free Trade Area project.
In addition to these discussions, strategies leading up to MC14 were outlined by Ambassador Matthew Wilson of Barbados. A primary deliverable will be a joint study report on integrating MSMEs into Authorized Economic Operator programs. New funding from China Council for Promotion of International Trade will support operations of the Trade4MSMEs website.
A special session allowed small traders to discuss challenges they face due to economic uncertainty and trade tensions. They called for better access to tariff information and support from national authorities.
The next meeting of the Informal Working Group on MSMEs is scheduled for October 3, 2025.