MSMES and services trade: A pathway to inclusive growth in developing economies

WTO Chairholder Prof.Wilma Viviers from North-West University and her colleagues write an opinion piece in the World Trade Report of 2019 titled "MSMES and services trade: A pathway to inclusive growth in developing economies?".
Introduction:
There is a general consensus that micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a critical role in countries’ economies, offering employment to significant numbers of people across a diverse range of professions and trades (Aga et al., 2015). MSMEs are also widely viewed as holding the key to inclusive growth, which is so frequently spoken about but remains an elusive goal. Yet it is worrying that a large proportion of MSMEs, despite their recognised potential, fail to become productive and sustainable sources of economic value.