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Sharing good practices
Peer recognition of these practices is one way to identify, support and share the highest standards from which all TPOs can benefit. The application process identifies excellence through the impact the TPO achieved and its innovative good practices.
The application process and structure of the awards criteria help the jury to identify and recognize good practices. The approach supports continuous efforts of TPOs to raise the level of standard practice.
The 2020 WTPO Awards applicants applied under one category to illustrate their most successful export development initiative.
Best use of partnerships
Applicants highlighted the critical engagement that partnerships and networks needed for the initiative to advance export development successfully.
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Best use of information technology
Applicants focused on a digital innovation that was central to improving the productivity, efficiency, marketing or performance of the export development initiative.
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Best initiative to ensure that trade is inclusive and sustainable
This category gave applicants a platform to show how they are contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals while increasing the international competitiveness of their small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
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Applicants demonstrated innovation and efficiency in their approach to selecting and designing their services, as well as measuring and tracking results. Just providing services is no longer sufficient, considering the value of their export development initiatives to support their clients’ sustainable success in the global market. Three countries were recognized for their outstanding national efforts, and six received special recognition for the good practices described in their respective categories. Each applicant demonstrated a unique approach to the common activities that TPOs must undertake to select, conceptualize, develop, deliver and measure the impact of their initiatives. The winners were selected on the basis of their innovativeness, the thoroughness of their approach and the impact they achieved. Tracking impact is a constant challenge for TPOs due to the changes that often occur from export development programmes. The application process aims to stimulate TPOs to develop and share innovative approaches in measuring and monitoring results. Over the years, ITC has seen many applicants take a more structured approach to recording and analysing results to improve their services.
A LOOK BEHIND THE AWARDS
The WTPO Awards are open to all trade and investment support institutions officially recognized as national organizations for trade promotion. A jury composed of TPO practitioners, including senior representatives of former winners, reviews the applications.
TPOs worldwide, as well as the business community, governments and international agencies, recognize these prestigious biennial awards.
Previous winners and applicants agree the application process is a comprehensive and time-consuming task. However, the benefits of participating exceed their expectations.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING?
- A TPO can use participation for national public relations purposes, to demonstrate its effectiveness to policymakers and boost its influence with stakeholders;
- Peer recognition;
- Winners can feature the WTPO Award winner logo on all corporate communications;
- Winners have visibility on the WTPO website (www.tponetwork.com) and in ITC’s promotional activities;
- Learning and improvement through knowledge sharing among staff members and TPO to TPO exchanges;
- Winning practices may be applied as good practice examples in ITC’s capacity-building programmes.
