Professionals working in international trade, export promotion, and business advocacy have an excellent opportunity to strengthen their understanding of trade policy through the Advocacy and Trade Policy Reform online course offered by the ITC SME Trade Academy. Scheduled to begin on 20 July 2026, this comprehensive two-week course is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand how trade policy affects exporting enterprises and how Trade Support Institutions (TSIs) can effectively advocate for policy reforms that enhance business competitiveness.

Course Overview
Trade policy plays a vital role in shaping the business environment for exporters. From market access and customs procedures to tariffs, regulations, and trade agreements, policy decisions influence every stage of an enterprise's value chain. Understanding these policies and knowing how to advocate for improvements is increasingly important for organisations that support exporters and promote international trade.
The Advocacy and Trade Policy Reform course introduces participants to trade policy from the perspective of exporting enterprises. It explores how policy instruments affect businesses across different stages of the value chain and examines the critical role that Trade Support Institutions (TSIs) play in representing the interests of exporters during policy development and reform processes.
Through practical learning and real-world case studies, participants will gain valuable insights into how effective advocacy contributes to creating a more competitive and enabling trade environment.

Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:
•    Analyse trade policy issues and understand how they affect the competitiveness of enterprises throughout the export value chain.
•    Identify the trade policy instruments that influence different stages of the value chain.
•    Understand the relationship between trade policy and export performance.
•    Apply practical advocacy strategies that enable Trade Support Institutions (TSIs) to influence trade policy development and reform.
•    Support exporters by promoting policy changes that improve market access and business competitiveness.

Who Should Attend?
This course is ideal for professionals involved in international trade and export development, including:
•    Staff of Trade Support Institutions (TSIs)
•    Export promotion professionals
•    Government trade officials
•    Business association representatives
•    Chamber of commerce personnel
•    Trade policy advisors
•    Export consultants
•    Development practitioners
•    SME support organisations
•    Entrepreneurs and exporters seeking a deeper understanding of trade policy

Why Take This Course?
As global markets continue to evolve, businesses must navigate increasingly complex trade regulations and policy environments. Professionals who understand the policy landscape are better positioned to identify opportunities, address trade barriers, and advocate for reforms that support business growth.
By participating in this course, learners will develop practical skills that enable them to:
•    Better understand the policy environment affecting exporters.
•    Strengthen their ability to represent business interests during policy discussions.
•    Enhance institutional advocacy strategies.
•    Improve the competitiveness of SMEs in international markets.
•    Contribute to more effective and evidence-based trade policy reforms.
The course also provides an excellent opportunity to learn from the internationally recognised expertise of the International Trade Centre (ITC), an organisation dedicated to supporting small businesses and promoting inclusive and sustainable trade worldwide.

Course Details
Course: Advocacy and Trade Policy Reform
Provider: ITC SME Trade Academy
Start Date: 20 July 2026
Duration: Two weeks
Delivery Mode: Online

Registration

Professionals interested in expanding their expertise in trade policy and advocacy are encouraged to register through the official ITC SME Trade Academy platform.

Official ITC SME Trade Academy: https://learning.intracen.org/

Course Catalogue: https://learning.intracen.org/course/

Early registration is recommended, as enrolment may be limited.