Start date: March 19th, 2007
End date: June 18, 2013
Project budget: (Life of Project) US$8.3 Million
Implementer: Tetra Tech ARD
Objectives
Increase incomes for all participants in selected agricultural value chains in Macedonia by increasing exports, improving productivity, enhancing the agricultural business environment, and increasing access to finance. The project will build off of the existing capacity and expertise of Macedonian professionals and lead firms and farms to create a new understanding in the market for embedded services and fee-based service delivery.
Components
- Broad-based approach to increase the productivity and competitiveness of all participants in the value chain;
- Multi-firm, export-focused value chain competitiveness enhancement;
- Enhancement of agribusiness firms’ access to viable sources of finance;
- Identification and prioritization of policy and institutional constraints to the competitiveness of primary producers and agribusinesses;;
Achievements/Impact
To date, 221 agribusinesses, 26 producers’ organizations and four trade and business associations received direct technical assistance, while 1,507 individuals received short-term training. Access to finance assistance helped 40 companies identify more than $7.1 million in financing. With less than $500,000 in direct AgBiz investment, 20 SME export expansion projects achieved a total of $6.4 million in additional sales over three years, $4 million in increased exports and almost $6 million in increased purchases from farmers. Almost 94% of the anticipated $7.9 million in increased investment in these projects was achieved by AgBiz partners—representing a 1:16 leveraging of USAID funds.
A wide variety of competitiveness enhancement activities resulted in the creation of 561 new jobs, stimulated over $9.4 million investments, and provided additional income to more than 28,400 Macedonian rural households. The project provided support for nineteen international trade fairs and Business to Business meetings at which 130 participants received more than $16.2 million in orders.
Sustainability/Legacy
Three new trade associations (Wines of Macedonia, Shumski Plod and Macedonian Agro Exporters Association) were established with extensive AgBiz involvement. These trade associations of the Wine, Wild Gathered Products and Fresh Produce Value Chains work to address the best interests of their members, and are contributing to improving the overall export competiveness.
Contact Information
Contact at USAID: Meri Cuculoska, COTR mcuculoska@usaid.gov
Chief of Party: Goran Damovski, gdamovski@agbiz.com.mk
Information Officer: Sonja Petrovska
Website: www.agbiz.com.mk