The World Trade Organization (WTO) is to hold its Public Forum 2016 in September 2016 with the theme of inclusive trade. The Public Forum will discuss how a broader range of businesses and individuals can become involved in the world trading system and how the WTO rules could be adapted to ensure that everyone may benefit from trade. Trade needs to be inclusive with an active role played by small and innovative enterprises.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are taking part in international trade to a greater extent and many are growing to become micro-multinationals. The WTO quotes from a report by eBay in 2013 showing that more than 95% of small businesses operating on the eBay platform were exporters and that between 60% and 80% of the businesses analyzed in the study survived beyond their first year. This compares to a figure between 30% and 50% for traditional exporters.

The WTO suggests that innovation has been driving the expansion of SMEs into the global market. The Form will explore ways of encouraging this SME expansion. The World Trade Report that is to be launched at the Forum will also examine this issue in depth. New technology has changed the way trade is conducted and has boosted trade growth, which in turn drives further innovation.

The Forum will therefore consider reforming trade rules to allow WTO members to benefit from innovation. There will also be discussion of governance issues; technology as a driver of development; the relationship between trade and innovation; and the greater participation of women in world trade.

The WTO has invited participants wishing to organize sessions at the Forum to submit their proposals by 3 June 2016.