JOINT FOREWORD
The past few years have reinforced the urgency of building economic resilience, amid rising costs of living, the painful aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic, the outbreak or resurgence of conflicts, and the impacts of climate change. This economic resilience relies on greater regional integration and South-South trade and investment—otherwise, the Sustainable Development Goals will remain far out of reach.
The Third South Summit Outcome Document, endorsed by Heads of State and Government of the Member Countries of the Group of 77 and China in January 2024, sets out clearly why these goals matter now, more than ever. Among its outcomes, leaders highlighted the critical role of South-South trade and triangular trade cooperation, alongside greater connectivity and policy synergies, in making a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous world possible.
For South-South trade and triangular cooperation to achieve their utmost potential, we must empower the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that underpin the global economy. By ensuring these firms can engage in connected, sustainable, and inclusive trade, they will be better positioned to create better-paying jobs, support social inclusion, tackle inequality, and foster environmental sustainability.
The International Trade Centre (ITC) has collaborated with the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) of China to support nearly 300 MSMEs from over 30 developing countries, including many from landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), in participating at the China International Import Export Expo (CIIE) since its inception in 2018. By providing trainings and facilitating their access to South- South trade platforms, ITC has supported these firms in becoming more competitive, capitalizing on the vast opportunities offered by the Chinese market.
The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), under its flagship programme, the Global South-South Development Centre (GSSDC), has partnered with the Government of China to promote and advocate for South-South and triangular trade cooperation, through various capacity training, knowledge exchange and policy advocacy initiatives.
This compendium of SME stories and experiences makes clear that empowering small businesses to trade delivers concrete results. It demonstrates how events like the CIIE open new opportunities for deepening South-South and triangular trade, in a way that can help build a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous future. We hope this publication will inspire further action and cooperation among all stakeholders committed to sustainable development.
