ITC is the joint agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization, fully dedicated to supporting small businesses of developing countries to trade. Originally created by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1964, ITC has operated since 1968 under the joint aegis of GATT/WTO and the United Nations, the latter acting through the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). ITC is the focal point in the United Nations system for technical cooperation with developing countries and economies in transition, on trade promotion and export development.

While UNCTAD and WTO work principally with governments, ITC focuses on equipping micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to become more competitive in global markets. In this context, ITC translates the business implications of multilateral trade agreements for businesses, so they can understand, shape and benefit from trade rules. ITC thereby helps to build vibrant, sustainable export sectors that provide entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for women, youth and vulnerable communities.

As a subsidiary agency of UNCTAD and the WTO, ITC is subject to the governing bodies of both. ITC is also subject to the internal oversight procedures of the United Nations. The WTO and UNCTAD are represented in the Joint Advisory Group, which governs ITC’s work, and have a number of joint technical assistance activities with ITC, which include: 

Trade and Market Intelligence

Inclusive Trade

Sustainable Trade 

Textiles 

Trade Facilitation 

Investment Facilitation 

WTO Accessions  

E-Commerce  

Trade Facilitation Portals