Introduction

Today’s increasingly interconnected global economy is transforming not only what is traded and how it is traded, but also who is trading. Large companies continue to dominate international trade, because they have the critical mass, organizational reach and relevant technologies necessary to access and supply foreign markets. But thanks to the Internet, the emergence of new business platforms, and the increasing openness of the global economy, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) now have the potential to become successful and important global traders as well. The World Trade Report 2016 examines the participation of SMEs in international trade. In particular, it looks at how the international trade landscape is changing for SMEs, where new opportunities are opening up and old challenges remain, and what the multilateral trading system does to ensure inclusive participation of firms in global markets.