Challenges
Poverty reduction requires more than just economic growth. But the latter is an essential factor for the private sector to create jobs and additional income which will benefit the poor. Respective strategies towards broad-based growth need to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). These ventures account for the majority of economic activities in developing countries and provide significant employment opportunities. However, MSMEs often face growth constraints due to their size and capacities. Such limitations need to be addressed to strengthen the enterprises’ economic potential and competitiveness, and to enhance their access to dynamic markets.
Business environment
Consultants facilitate a conducive business environment for private sector investment and competitiveness by reducing legal, regulatory and administrative constraints. The services we offer comprise assessing regulatory impacts, and simplifying business registration and licensing procedures.
Business and financial support institutions
Our experts facilitate better access to market information, business services and finance. We help business membership organizations, financial institutions, providers of business development services (BDS) and public support facilities become more responsive to MSMEs’ demands.
MSME capacity development
GFA creates awareness among MSMEs that competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets needs to be improved. In this respect, we pursue a systemic approach through collective action in a cluster or value chain. Developing enterprises’ ability to collaborate in horizontal and vertical networks is a promising approach as it creates opportunities to benefit from economies of scale. Also, it stimulates innovation and technological upgrading initiatives, often in collaboration with additional institutional stakeholders.