During the past decade, consumers and civil society have played an important role in triggering a debate on the equity, fairness and inclusiveness of globalization. This has led to the emergence of the concept of responsible trade, accompanied by a broad range of initiatives aimed at improving the social and environmental impact of international trade. This UNIDO report is intended to contribute to this topical debate by examining both the opportunities and the obstacles faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries as they seek to gain access to international markets. The report provides a thorough analysis of various initiatives and approaches to responsible trade and studies its role in poverty reduction and entrepreneurship development in developing countries.