Background information: The World Trade Point Federation (WTPF) originated in UNCTAD’s erstwhile Trade Point Programme, which was launched under the Trade Efficiency Initiative in 1992. WTPF took over the programme from UNCTAD in November 2002. The objective of the WTPF is to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (particularly those situated in developing countries) with access to international trade and to strengthen their participation therein. This work is being done in a decentralized manner, through more than 130 trade information and facilitation centers known as Trade Points and located in more than 90 countries. The Trade Points are connected via a worldwide Internet-based network.

Purpose: The 38 Trade Points in the Americas joined forces by creating a regional association, the Inter-American Trade Point Forum (better known as IATPF) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1998. The main functions of the IATPF are to increase cooperation between Trade Points in the region; focus on their specific needs and facilitate their work; and protect their interests at the level of the World Trade Point Federation. At annual meetings, the managers of Trade Points can meet and exchange experiences as well as work together on future plans.

Expected outcome: The IATPF can be counted among the strongest regions of the WTPF. It is also a region where Trade Points have always shown a lot of initiative. This event will breathe life into the decisions taken at the annual WTPF General Assembly meeting held in Jamaica in December 2003. Particular attention will be given to the website tools and services and how Trade Points can make use of them. The outcome of the meeting will be of interest not only to IATPF members but to all Trade Points worldwide.
In particular the outcome of the meeting will consist in the following:

• Consolidation of the WTPF work plan for the Americas
• Launch of the Global Trade Directory System (GTDS)
• Launch of the WTPF integrated website framework at the Trade Point level
• Launch of the WTPF website strategy for 2004

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