9 July (Geneva, Switzerland) – The Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) today signed a memorandum of understanding to expand digital trade and e-commerce opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies, and least developed countries in particular.
The agreement was signed in Geneva on the sidelines of the World Summit on the Information Society by UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki and ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton.The partnership will leverage the UPU's global postal network alongside ITC's expertise in trade capacity building and SME development.
Under the agreement, the UPU and ITC will cooperate across five priority areas: strengthening trade and investment support institutions in developing countries; improving market intelligence and addressing non-tariff measures; facilitating trade along regional corridors, with a focus on Africa; promoting financial inclusion through postal financial services; and expanding digital trade capacity-building for SMEs, including women-led and youth-led enterprises.
UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki said: “For more than 15 years, the UPU and ITC have worked together, including alongside UNCTAD as co-facilitators of the WSIS action line on e-business. Today, we are taking that partnership further to help SMEs and women entrepreneurs connect to regional and global markets through the extensive reach of the postal network.”
ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton said: “When small businesses – the backbone of the global economy – have the tools, networks and support to tap into the digital economy, they becomes drivers of sustainable growth. With the UPU, we will extend the benefits of digital trade to the last mile, connecting entrepreneurs in even the most remote communities to global markets.”
The agreement provides a flexible framework for cooperation, with specific programmes and initiatives to be developed jointly.
Notes for the Editor
About the Universal Postal Union – Established in 1874, the Universal Postal Union is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the postal sector. With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players, helping ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services. In this way, the organization fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and provides technical assistance where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail, parcel, and financial services volumes and improve quality of service for customers.
For more information, visit: www.upu.int.
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About the International Trade Centre - 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.
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Media contacts
Yana Brugier
External Relations and Partnerships Coordinator
Administration and Cabinet Directorate
Universal Postal Union
E-mail: brugiery@upu.int
Susanna Pak
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Office of the Executive Director
International Trade Centre
E-mail: pak@intracen.org