Enabling Indigenous Trade 2025

2.4 Government financing and investment Access to finance and international payments systems is essential for business growth, economic development and competitiveness in international trade. Indigenous People identify the lack of access to finance and payments infrastructure as a major barrier to expanding their businesses for export. Government funding initiatives – such as grants, low-interest loans and financial-inclusion programmes – are crucial in supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs. These measures promote inclusive economic growth, help Indigenous businesses thrive globally and foster capacity-building, skill development and economic resilience in Indigenous communities. Empowering Indigenous participation in the economy contributes to national prosperity. Examples of public funding programmes for Indigenous businesses BOX 6 Australia: In 2023, the federal government committed A$13.6 million ($8.6 million) over four years to measures that include expanding efforts to boost First Nations trade and investment, as well as collaboration with partners across the Indo-Pacific. The funding supports Indigenous collaboration across the Indo-Pacific through the Office for First Nations International Engagement, led by Ambassador Justin Mohamed. It will contribute to piloting a First Nations trade and investment advisory group, the First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership and to enabling the IP system to protect Indigenous knowledge. Canada: Canada’s Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FIPA) model aims to better reflect Indigenous Peoples’ rights and participation through clarifications, exceptions and new provisions. The FIPA model reflects Canada’s policy of ensuring that the benefits of trade and investment are more widely shared in Canada and abroad. Chinese Taipei: The Indigenous Comprehensive Development Fund,15 managed by the Council of Indigenous Peoples, grants preferential personal and business loans for tribal members. The government also implements credit guarantee schemes for Indigenous businesses, gives sector- specific support – for instance, through a subsidy programme for the Indigenous music industry – and in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic provided financial relief and stimulus packages for Indigenous microenterprises. Colombia: The country supported the hosting of the 2022 World Indigenous Business Forum, and, through the Bank for Indigenous Communities and Peoples, invested in 912 projects that benefited more than 1,595 Indigenous People in Colombia. The Central Bank Network for Indigenous Inclusion (Australia, Canada and New Zealand): Founded by the reserve banks of Australia, Canada and New Zealand in January 2021, the network aims to foster ongoing dialogue, raise awareness of Indigenous economic and financial issues, share knowledge and best practices and promote engagement and education on Indigenous economics and history in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. The network also holds the biannual Central Bank Symposium on Indigenous Economics. 2.5 National legislation National legislation forms the legal foundation for protecting the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples and enforcing national and international obligations. Implementing inclusive national legislation can lead to the recognition of Indigenous land rights, the protection of IP related to traditional knowledge and the creation of opportunities for Indigenous participation in the economy. This can result in greater economic empowerment, the preservation of cultural heritage and improved socioeconomic conditions for Indigenous communities. Although many advances towards Indigenous inclusion have occurred, much of the work required is dependent on domestic measures, such as national legislation and policy directives.Intellectual property Domestic IP measures are critical for Indigenous Peoples as they protect traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, geographical indications and unique products from misuse and exploitation. These protections help Indigenous communities maintain control over their IP , enabling them to benefit economically from their cultural heritage. Effective IP measures prevent unauthorized use and copying, safeguard the authenticity of Indigenous goods in global markets and promote fair-trade practices. This ensures proper recognition, compensation, sustainable economic development and cultural preservation for Indigenous communities. Inclusive national legislation can help recognize Indigenous land rights, protect IP related to traditional knowledge and boost economic participation. Enabling Indigenous Trade: Actionable Guidance for Governments 17