A primary prerequisite of stabilization is a robust and competitive private sector supported by policies that will enable economic growth. The USAID Pakistan Firms project worked toward this end, assisting targeted firms to boost exports and employment in the livestock, tourism, fishing, and mango industries. One main focus of Firms was to work with district…
In Pakistan, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) comprise 98 percent of the country’s 3.8 million businesses, but most of these businesses operate in the undocumented, informal sector. These SMEs face a variety of barriers, from burdensome regulatory procedures to limited access to finance and markets. The USAID Small and Medium Size Enterprise Activity (SMEA) is…
Most Nigerians live in rural areas and farm for a living, yet their harvests yield little return in local, regional, or international markets. The USAID Maximizing Agricultural Revenue and Key Enterprises in Targeted Sites II (MARKETS II) project helped farmers maximize yields, increase farm incomes, respond to market demands, and reduce food insecurity. MARKETS II…
Many Georgians, especially those living in rural communities, face hunger and poverty. USAID’s New Economic Opportunities (NEO) Initiative tackled this issue by helping individuals living in rural communities and encouraging long-term economic growth in the country. By providing assistance to local governments, businesses, and people in Georgia, NEO successfully raised incomes, reduced poverty levels, and…
Jordan’s tourism industry generates more than 14 percent of the country’s annual gross domestic product and is the greatest source of private sector employment in the country. To make the most of this economic opportunity, the USAID Economic Growth Through Sustainable Tourism Project (Siyaha) improved Jordan’s competitiveness as an international tourism destination. Building on the…
Moldova is well positioned to develop a strong agriculture sector with a wide international reach. The USAID High Value Agriculture Activity (HVAA) is transforming the country’s high-value agriculture sector into an engine of economic growth. “High-value agriculture” refers to the farming of non-staple crops that have higher net returns, such as berries, table grapes, and…
Although countries’ specific contexts influence their national policies, there are best practices for economic development from which all countries can learn. Drawing on best practices and lessons learned from USAID programming, the Asia and Middle East Economic Growth Best Practices (AMEG) project developed effective interventions that strengthened economic institutions and governance. In collaboration with USAID…
The majority of Ugandans rely on farming for their incomes, but the country’s agriculture sector, dominated by smallholder farmers, has historically had low economic support and output. The purpose of the Feed the Future Uganda Commodity Production and Marketing Activity was to reduce poverty and promote the long-term prosperity of rural Ugandan families by increasing the…
SMEs account for almost all of Salvadoran businesses, employing more than one-third of the national workforce and generating nearly half of the country’s gross domestic product. USAID’s Small and Medium Enterprises Development Program worked with the Ministry of Economy, the private sector, and international cooperation agencies to strengthen the country’s SMEs. To create a more…
Although apparel, information and technology, wine, home furnishings, and fashion industries in Moldova are stable and capable of growing, they have historically lacked the structured support they need to flourish internationally. The USAID Competitiveness Enhancement and Economic Development (CEED) II project partnered with Moldovan enterprises and the government to support export- and investment-driven growth. Targeting…
Kosovo is investing in its business environment to enhance the private sector and create employment opportunities across the country.
Ninety-nine percent of payments in the Philippines take place via cash or check. In a country made up of more than 7,000 islands where transporting cash is challenging, this system is not only inefficient but also less transparent and inclusive. Electronic payments (e-payments), although not as common in the Philippines, have many advantages over cash:…