The Joint Advisory Group (JAG) is ITC’s annual high-level advisory body, composed of UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and World Trade Organization (WTO) member states, which reviews the organisation’s annual report and provides recommendations on its programme of work.
This year’s 59th session, held on 27 June 2025 at the WTO in Geneva, brought together representatives from 52 countries, including ambassadors and senior officials, alongside ITC key partners, funders, and beneficiaries.
As part of the Friends of ITC lunch, MARKUP II contributed tea from Burundi and spices from Tanzania, which were presented as gifts to ambassadors and invited guests. The offerings highlighted the programme’s support for SMEs in East Africa.
In Burundi, the Mabayi Tea Complex shared its distinctive highland teas. MARKUP II supported this producer through training in quality control, supply chain management, and commercial strategy, enabling Mabayi to compete more effectively in global markets.
From Tanzania, products such as Zanzibar cinnamon and ginger from Kilimanjaro and Morogoro—offered by entrepreneurs like Urithi Foods, demonstrated the benefits of MARKUP II’s training in sustainable farming, processing practices, and export branding. Through training in sustainable farming and processing techniques, as well as branding and export development, enterprises like Urithi Foods are gaining better access to regional and international markets.
By showcasing these products at the JAG, MARKUP II underscored its role in promoting value addition, quality enhancement, and trade opportunities for small producers in the region.
The participation of MARKUP II at JAG reinforced the programme’s role in promoting value addition, improved quality, and trade opportunities for small producers in the East African region.
