SME Trade Council

Championing SMEs globally

11 Regions - 20 Sectors

SME Trade Council: Serving SME communities
SME Trade: SME Trade magazine
SME Platform: Global networking platform

SMEs at crossroads

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are the beating heart of national economies and the connective tissue of entire value chains. In every region of the world, from dense cities to remote rural communities, SMEs fuel the engines of growth, job creation, innovation, and social cohesion. For countries striving toward economic resilience and inclusive development, empowering SMEs is an economic imperative.

When SMEs thrive, families gain stability, communities prosper, and national development accelerates. Our activities circulate capital through communities, and support the operations of larger enterprises by serving as vital suppliers, subcontractors, distributors, and service providers.

Engine of Innovation

SMEs underpin economic dynamism and diversification through our entrepreneurial spirit. We spread economic activity across sectors and regions, protecting national economies from over-reliance on a handful of industries or large firms. Individually, our tax contributions may be modest, but collectively, they represent a significant portion of government revenue, funding infrastructure, healthcare, education, and national development programmes.

We operate where large companies often do not; in rural towns and underserved districts. By anchoring regional development and reducing migration pressures, we promote cohesion. Our openness to youth and women entrepreneurship makes us powerful engines of inclusive growth.

The Challenge

SMEs face an uphill battle when venturing into international markets. Success hinges on a delicate balance of strategic, operational, financial, and regulatory capabilities. SMEs consistently name finance as our number one barrier. We face limited access to affordable trade finance or guarantees, leaving us vulnerable to currency volatility and shipping disruptions.

Unlike better-capitalized multinationals, we lack the cushion to absorb delayed payments or cash flow shocks and limited organizational capacity hamper international expansion. Exporting is technical; it requires managing documentation, understanding HS codes (product classification), navigating Incoterms, and meeting market-specific labelling rules.

Multi-Layered Approach

Collaboration is the strongest multiplier and requires a coordinated effort. Governments should simplify regulations, reduce administrative burdens, and promote digital infrastructure. Large Enterprises should act as anchors. They should integrate small suppliers into their value chains, share technology and market intelligence and ensure fair payment terms to protect SME cash flow.

Multilateral Organizations should provide guarantees and blended finance for SME lending. They should support trade facilitation, promote harmonized standards that SMEs can realistically meet.

Regional Trade Blocs should harmonise global regulation by addressing the five pillars of SME success: strategy, regulation, operations, finance, and capacity.

Call to Action

A global champion is needed to reshape the rules of the game. The Trade Council will fill the gap, becoming a forceful, coordinated voice to influence international trade rules, AI regulation, and ESG standards.

TheTrade Council will:

Ensure priorities shape policy by engaging with multilaterals, governments and national export & Inward investment agencies
Negotiate with global financing platforms, blended finance solutions, and credit guarantees to fix funding gaps.
Coordinate trade missions, global expos, and Matchmaker to connect firms to new buyers.

How

Driving global trade by empowering SME businesses, trade professionals and governments through networking, advocacy, and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Working to reduce trade barriers, promote foreign direct investment, and create opportunities for global business.

Vision

Our Vision

Build a more connected global economy that enables businesses of all sizes to succeed
Equip businesses around the world to thrive and succeed in international markets
Stimulate economic growth by simplifying and streamlining international trade
Spearhead initiatives to eliminate trade barriers, promoting a fair and open trading environment for everyone

Mission

Our Objectives

Encourage global commerce by lowering trade obstacles and opening new opportunities for businesses worldwide
Provide assistance to businesses and governments by offering advocacy, sharing expertise, and enabling smoother trade processes
Promote long-term economic development by attracting foreign investment and strengthening international partnerships
Enable networking and build connections across diverse industries and global markets

Values

Our Values

Collaboration: Build and nurture strong partnerships across industries, governments, and global markets.
Transparency: Advocate for transparency and accountability in international trade practices.
Innovation: Promote innovative ideas and solutions that enhance international trade processes.
Sustainability: Dedicated to advancing practices that ensure long-term economic and environmental sustainability.

Lord JD Waverley

My team and I will be championing for strategic global support - delivering the financial, technical, and regulatory initiatives SMEs need to scale. Strengthening sustainable economic growth through foreign direct investment and deepening international collaboration across industries will be central to this mission.

Beyond pushing for stronger SME recognition worldwide, advisory teams will be established across 11 global regions, from Africa to Latin America, Central Asia and South Caucasus to South Asia and beyond.