Economic Growth
Business Development
Community Builds First Local Milk Collection Facility
Soaring summer temperatures could not keep a crowd from participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Nur Sud Milk Collection Point in Chakhyrly (Masally district), Azerbaijan on June 26, 2008... Read More ...
Related Items: Azerbaijan, Business Development
Serbia Stages its Comeback on the International Film Scene
With support from USAID, three Serbia-based production companies – Art and Popcorn, Testament Films, and Dream Company – participated in the Marche du Film festival and Producers Network conference in Cannes in early 2008... Read More ...
Related Items: Serbia, Business Development
Donor Assistance Nurtures Economic Independence
A small textile factory employing six women from Llaplleselle/Laplje Selo (Pristina municipality) is a small but significant step toward economic independence for women in this small Serb community in Kosovo... Read More ...
Related Items: Kosovo, Business Development
MosBuild Expected to Generate 1+ Million Euros in Contracts for Serbian Firms
Eight Serbian companies report success from their first-ever participation in the International Building and Interiors Exhibition (MosBuild) in Moscow, one of the largest trade fairs in Russia... Read More ...
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Italy Joins Partnership to Develop Balkan Region
With the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Rome on July 17, Italy joined the U.S. and Greece in an innovative public-private partnership to stimulate sustainable economic growth, energy security... Read More ...
Related Items: Business Development, Energy, Infrastructure, Environment
Ag Fair Deals Total 1.5 Million Euros for Serbian Farmers
Thanks to support from USAID agribusiness and economic security projects, 13 Serbian agribusinesses and associations participated in the 75th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad—the largest event of its kind in Southeast Europe... Read More ...
Related Items: Serbia, Business Development
Social Investment Benefits Business, Accelerates Development
With USAID support, the Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Export & Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), organized two Corporate Social Investment Program events... Read More ...
Related Items: Azerbaijan, Business Development
Koryukivka Reaps Benefits of Strategic Public-Private Partnership
A small town of nearly 13,500 residents in Chernihiv Oblast, Koryukivka is home to the Koryukivka Technical Paper Factory, a public corporation that claims to be Europe's largest wallpaper manufacturer... Read More ...
Related Items: Ukraine, Business Development, Infrastructure
Cost-Share Grants Nurture Economic Growth, One Business at a Time
A nursery's expansion into vegetable seedlings, a wood processor's new plant and successful products in other business sectors were showcased on May 17, 2008 during USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore’s visit to Kosovo... Read More ...
Related Items: Kosovo, Business Development
Exchange Provides Seeds for Innovation in Table Grape Industry
With financial and technical support from the USAID Agribusiness Project, representatives of Macedonia’s five leading table grape businesses visited Cape Town, South Africa to learn from the owners of the best table grape vineyards in the world... Read More ...
Related Items: Macedonia, Business Development
Armenia Strives to Build International Tourism
On May 6, 2008, USAID’s Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) project, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Armenia, the Armenian Tourism Development Agency, and the country’s five major industry associations... Read More ...
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Georgia’s SMEs Grow with Increased Access to Financing
“We welcome all of those on holiday to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Bakuriani at our guesthouse,” says Manana Janidze, greeting a visitor at the entrance of the newly upgraded and renovated Hotel X... Read More ...
Related Items: Georgia, Business Development
Consulting Support Yields Fast Growth for Construction Firm
Today, Tegika Universal, Ltd. is one of the most successful construction companies in Kutaisi, Georgia. Just a year ago, however, it had faced its share of challenges... Read More ...
Related Items: Georgia, Business Development
Small Business Services Help Launch Raspberry Farm
Musician Beglar Mikeladze didn’t set out to build a business when he planted his first raspberry plants in Adlia, Georgia. “At first I started to grow raspberries just to meet some family needs... Read More ...
Related Items: Georgia, Business Development
Azerbaijan Rural Enterprise Program Holds Promise of Sustainability
USAID’s Rural Enterprise Competitiveness (RECP) team presented its final results at a reception hosted by the Pragma Corporation on April 7, 2008. USAID Country Coordinator for Azerbaijan Scott Taylor led the presentation... Read More ...
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Expanding International Markets for Georgian Artisans
Last summer, the Georgia Textile Group (GTG) participated in the 4th Annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market with support from the Crafts Center at the USAID–funded Georgia Employment and Infrastructure Initiative (GEII) and the Ramsay Merriam Fund... Read More ...
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Guria Farmers Establish Links with Lithuanian Businesses
USAID works with farmers and farming communities throughout Georgia to identify alternative export markets and establish business-to-business linkages... Read More ...
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Georgian Farmers Combine Efforts to Generate Viable Incomes
“In strength there is unity.” Koba Tsertsvadze, a 41-year-old farmer from the village of Tkhinvali in Guria addressed visitors with these words as he and other farmers fenced plots of land on a tea plantation in his village... Read More ...
Related Items: Georgia, Business Development
BiH Tourism Exhibit Wows Visitors at World Fair
When visitors to the world’s largest tourism fair arrived at the booth for Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), they didn’t find just the standard photos and brochures. Instead, they were invited to take a stroll across the country... Read More ...
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Willingness to Pay for Development Signals Sustainability
Sustainability is the ultimate goal of any technical assistance project. There are various criteria to determine whether a project has been able to survive without USAID or other donor funding... Read More ...
Related Items: Ukraine, Business Development
Exchange Provides Hotelier with Knowledge to Expand
Gogi Gogitidze, the owner of a small hotel in the seaside town of Kobuleti, Georgia credits USAID’s Community Connections (CC) Exchange Program with increasing the scope of his business... Read More ...
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Project Helps Over 500 Armenian SMEs Generate Jobs, Sales
On December 3, 2007, the USAID Armenia Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Market Development Project (ASME) hosted an open house event in Yerevan to celebrate the project’s seventh anniversary... Read More ...
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Quality Products Open New Markets for Albanian Herb Exporters
Business could not be better for Albanian businessman Xhevit Hysenaj, owner of the Xherdo Herb and Spice Essences Company, based in Skrapar... Read More ...
Related Items: Albania, Business Development
Competitveness Project Builds Armenia’s IT Sector
Through its Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Program, USAID has been fostering the development of the Information Technology (IT) cluster in Armenia by assisting businesses with improving the quality and productivity of their output... Read More ...
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Successful Rural Business Development Project Draws to Close
On October 31, 2007, USAID hosted a reception in Baku to mark the culmination of its Azerbaijan Business Assistance (ABAD) program, which focused on supporting the growth of rural economic development in targeted regions of Azerbaijan... Read More ...
Related Items: Azerbaijan, Business Development
ABAD Facilitates Stable Supply Chain Linkages through its Work with Canneries
USAID’s Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development (ABAD) program has worked with a number of canneries throughout Azerbaijan to improve the efficiency of the supply chain... Read More ...
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Key Inspections Law Provisions Receive Green Light
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on October 18, 2007 approved the Provision on Realization of the Law “On Procedure for Conducting Inspections of Businesses,” developed with USAID support... Read More ...
Related Items: Kyrgyzstan, Business Development
Reforms Save Kazakhstani Business More than $130M
Changes in Kazakhstan’s “Law On Government Procurement,” introduced with assistance from the USAID Business Environment Improvement Project (BEI), will produce millions of dollars in savings for local businesses... Read More ...
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Georgian Delicacies Debut at 2007 Fancy Food Show
Until now, American consumers may have known little about Georgia, and less about the country’s foods and wines. Yet Georgian exporters are hopeful that the U.S. market—where consumers are interested in exploring new products... Read More ...
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USAID, Divac Teams Up To Promote Town’s Investment Potential
Vlade Divac officially retired from professional basketball in a celebration the size of which the 15,000 residents of his hometown of Prijepolje had never seen. For one day, the population of Prijepolje doubled with a star-studded list of celebrities... Read More ...
Related Items: Serbia, Business Development
Business Development Has No Ethnic Boundaries in Kosovo
A freezing and cold storage facility was officially opened by Tina Kaidanow, U.S. Office in Pristina Chief of Mission, and Stanko Jokovljevic, Mayor of Shtrpce/Strpce, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19, 2007... Read More ...
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Egyptian Reformers Learn from Moldova's Success
Fifteen Egyptian government officials, representing eight different ministries, visited Moldova on a study tour to learn about the success of its “guillotine approach” to reform that was led by the USAID BIZPRO Project... Read More ...
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Tajik Dairy Farms Improve Productivity
The 500 dairy farmers who have received loans and technical assistance from the USAID AgFin+ project implemented by DAI have significantly increased their productivity and ability to compete with the milk processing companies of Central Asia... Read More ...
Related Items: Tajikistan, Business Development
Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Awards USAID Project
Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev presented an honorary award to the USAID Business Environment Improvement Project on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade... Read More ...
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USAID Assistance Supports Growth of Albanian Businesses
On October 6, 2007, Dr. Douglas Menarchik, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia visited the TONA CO. Meat Processing in Korca, Albania and met with the owner, Nikolla Tona... Read More ...
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Moldovan Wines Make a Splash on the International Scene
Moldova, a country blessed with rich soil, good climate and located at the same latitude as the most famous wine regions in France, remains virtually unknown internationally for its wines... Read More ...
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$10M USAID Program to Improve Farmers’ Competitiveness
On October 5, 2007 USAID launched the new five-year, $10 million Albanian Agriculture Competitiveness (AAC) Program in Korca, where one of the program’s regional offices will be located... Read More ...
Related Items: Albania, Business Development
Remote U.S., Russian Cities Linked for Economic Progress
The USAID-funded CityLinks Alaska-Russian Far East (RFE) Partnership held a best practices symposium August 3–5, 2007 in Vladivostok to mark the culmination of the two-year program... Read More ...
Related Items: Russia, Business Development
Training Helps Beekeeper Succeed, Plan to Breed
Beekeeping in Azerbaijan dates back to historic times. Despite long years of involvement in this particular area of agriculture, modern-day beekeeping is beset by obstacles that slow the development of this potential sector... Read More ...
Related Items: Azerbaijan, Business Development
U.S. Introduces $20M Guarantee Program for Macedonia’s SMEs
For the first time, USAID has introduced two Development Credit Authority (DCA) Loan Portfolio Guarantees totalling US$20 million to support the expansion of small and medium enterprises (SME), energy efficiency... Read More ...
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USAID Provides Drought Relief for Moldova’s Farmers
Drought-stricken farmers across Moldova received critically needed seeds for fall planting as part of immediate USAID assistance valued at $350,000 to help alleviate the consequences of this summer’s drought on small-scale growers... Read More ...
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Vocational Training Opens Doors for Chechen Entrepreneur
In Chechnya they say “Every man wants to receive food from a beautiful hand” – and so the logic follows that a good manicurist will always have work... Read More ...
Related Items: Russia, Business Development
Moldovan Fashion Maven Takes On Milan
Georgeta Ieahia grew up wanting to be a clothing designer. At age 17, she had her first client. Encouraged by her early success, Georgeta left her native Moldova to attend the London College of Fashion... Read More ...
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Additional Support to Strengthen Supply Chain Linkages
On July 12 the USAID-supported Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development Program (ABAD) organized another Proper Sugar Beet Cultivation workshop, as part of continuing collaboration with the Azerbaijan Sugar Production Union... Read More ...
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Georgia Celebrates Start of Industrial Cheese Production
The opening of two modern cheese plants in the adjacent villages of Orlovka and Spasovka on June 21 turned into a real celebration for farmers in Georgia’s Javakheti region. For them, the event not only marks the first successful attempt... Read More ...
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Georgian Vegetable Growers Cultivate Profits
David Ebanoidze estimates his income has grown by about 60 percent since he first met with the USAID-supported AgVANTAGE project. With assistance from AgVANTAGE, his farm near the town of Marneuli has undergone radical changes... Read More ...
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Bumper Crop, USAID Support Gives Exporter Entrée To U.K. Market
Dragi Stojmirovski has never seen so many watermelons—it has been a bumper year for the crop in the Balkans. Unfortunately, the resulting glut has led to plummeting melon prices and fruit lays rotting in their fields... Read More ...
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Senior U.S. Official Visits Turkmenistan Model Community
In June, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan A. Feigenbaum met with the USAID-supported community of Saglyk, in the Ahal Region, as part of a four-day official visit to Turkmenistan... Read More ...
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Internship Leads to Better Service in Georgia’s Banking Sector
Clients of TBC Bank in Georgia now have better access to information thanks to Nino Gachechiladze’s participation in the USAID’s Community Connections (CC) Business program... Read More ...
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USAID Helps Serbian Community Achieve Economic Growth
While on a visit to USAID missions in the Balkans, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Dr. Douglas Menarchik officially opened a reconstructed bridge and road project in the municipality of Arilje, in western Serbia... Read More ...
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Economic Growth Key Theme of Menarchik's Moldova Visit
In May 2007, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Dr. Douglas Menarchik traveled to Moldova as part of his visit to the region. While in Chisinau, Menarchik met with high-ranking Moldovan officials... Read More ...
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Family Business Lauded as Serbia’s Micro-Enterprise of the Year
The idyllic scenery surrounding the river Pčinja where the town of Trgovište is situated provides far more than just beautiful views. The Stošić family has long known that the plants of the forest yield many sought-after natural products... Read More ...
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Georgia Finds Alternate Use for Abandoned Tea Land
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia inherited over 62,000 hectares of unused tea land, the majority of which remains abandoned and overgrown... Read More ...
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Marketing Tools Are Company’s Best Friend
When establishing the new company Safari to produce cardboard packaging, Executive Director Nadir Huseynov did not expect to have trouble identifying buyers. In fact, there were a number of reasons that he anticipated a viable long term future... Read More ...
Related Items: Azerbaijan, Business Development
Farmers, Machinery Producers Learn About Quality Equipment
On June 7, Jayil Farm in Alekseevka village became the stage for Kyrgyzstan’s first outdoor agricultural equipment show. The initiative was organized by the USAID-funded Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project... Read More ...
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Changing Market Poses Challenge for Top Resort
Since Roman troops pitched their tents here in the first century, the hot springs of Vrnjačka Banja have attracted generations of road-weary travelers. By modern times, Vrnjačka Banja had become one of Serbia’s best known spas... Read More ...
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Uzbek Farmers Learn New Water Management Techniques
Recently, farmers from various water user associations in Bukhara and Samarkand regions spent three weeks learning about water management and farming at the University of Alabama – Huntsville... Read More ...
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Sugar Beets Hold Promise for Azerbaijan’s Remote Villages
In June 2007, USAID’s Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development (ABAD) program, in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Sugar Production Union, a branch of Azersun Holding, organized a workshop for farmers on sugar beet cultivation... Read More ...
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Artisans Create International Demand for Macedonian Handicrafts
Spasika Tasevska has been an inspiration and a driving force for a group of 240 women and 34 teenagers from the town of Krusevo in her endeavor to turn her ideas, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit into projects... Read More ...
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Exchange Cultivates Farmer’s Interest in Organic Produce
Shohrat Mammadov, Director of Shabran LTD, gained a larger market share by expanding his business to meet a growing demand for organic produce in Azerbaijan. The idea came about as a result of Mammadov’s experience... Read More ...
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International Basketball Star, USAID Team Up to Help Village
Residents of Riđica decided almost two years ago to take their destiny into their own hands and improve their economic lot through advanced agricultural production... Read More ...
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U.S. – Central Asia Education Foundation Launched
In June 2007, the U.S.-Central Asia Education Foundation announced commencement of operations and the establishment of programs to support business and economics education in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan... Read More ...
Related Items: Central Asian Republics, Education
E-commerce Find Its Place in Central Asia
Over 900 trade deals valued at more than $126 million have been facilitated through a trade portal, started by a UASID project in 2002. The portal www.smetradecenter.net was launched through the USAID Enterprise Development Project... Read More ...
Related Items: Central Asian Republics, Business Development
British Tour Agents Captivated by Bosnia-Herzegovina
"I am fascinated with what I have seen and tried while I was here. My agency will do our best to include your country in our tourist offer," exclaimed UK tourist agent Allison White during her first visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH)... Read More ...
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Agribusiness Center Helps Company Boost Production, Sales
One of Azerbaijan’s leading fruits and vegetable processing companies turned to the USAID-supported Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center over two years ago for help... Read More ...
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Kazakhstan Participates in the First GEM Study in Central Asia
This year Kazakhstan joins over 40 middle- and high-income countries worldwide as a site of the prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey of entrepreneurial activity... Read More ...
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Forum Raises Development Questions for Northern Azerbaijan
USAID’s Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development Program (ABAD), in cooperation with the local department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Economic Development, organized a business forum... Read More ...
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Gov’t, Business Leaders Seek to Improve Kazakhstan’s Competitiveness
In April 2007, USAID’s Regional Competitiveness Initiative and its Kazakhstan Small Business Development Project jointly organized an Economic Growth and Competitiveness Forum to generate discussion among government and business representatives... Read More ...
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U.S. Supports Azerbaijan’s WTO Accession Process
USAID hosted a reception in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development and Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan to raise public awareness of the importance of World Trade Organization (WTO) accession... Read More ...
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Hasilli Farm Representatives Share Experience with Other Farmers
The USAID-funded Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development Program (ABAD), in cooperation with the executive committee of the local agricultural department, organized a Community Day at Hasilli Farm in Jalilabad... Read More ...
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Entrepreneurs Promote Goods at Baku Food Industry Exhibition
From May 23–25, program staff and four clients from the USAID-funded Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development Program (ABAD) attended the Food Industry Exhibition in Baku to share program information... Read More ...
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Microfinance Program Disbursements Hits $200 Million Mark
The Micro and Small Enterprise Finance Facility Program was established in Kyrgyzstan in 2002 by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with support from USAID and other international organizations... Read More ...
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Mini-Cheese Factory Becomes A Model Enterprise
Patara Khanchali is a small, mountainous village in the district of Ninotsminda, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, situated on the bank of Lake Khanchali. Cattle breeding and potato growing comprise the main agricultural activities undertaken by the community residents... Read More ...
Related Items: Georgia, Business Development
Premium Green Tea to Debut in Georgia, Export Markets
Due to Georgia’s subtropical climate, local tea has a special taste and characteristics. During the Soviet period, tea was one of the major crops grown in the Imereti region and large quantities were exported to the Soviet Union... Read More ...
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Macedonian Entrepreneurs Create 1,000 New Jobs
Over 1,000 new jobs and an estimated $15 million in additional exports are the result of a USAID-supported project in Macedonia. Six new companies—called “e-BIZ centers”—which provide high tech services... Read More ...
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Azerbaijani Communities Host National War College Delegation
In April 2007, Zardabi communities in Guba district, northern Azerbaijan hosted a delegation from the National War College, a prestigious leadership training program for American military and civilian leaders... Read More ...
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USAID Specialists Nurture Growth of Rural Businesses
Through USAID’s Rural Enterprise Competitiveness project, a team from the Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) has worked to help a local fruit and vegetable processor become more modern and efficient, and to increase sales... Read More ...
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Product Marketing Helps Furniture Maker Generate Capital for Growth
In 2004, the current owner purchased the land with the intention of returning it to its former purpose. He made some repairs and installed some equipment and the company began making chairs, tables and beds... Read More ...
Related Items: Azerbaijan, Business Development
USAID-Supported Organization Takes Lead in Agricultural Law Public
Discussions
Following the presidential elections in February, Turkmenistan’s new government announced plans for agricultural sector reforms and legal initiatives. In response, the USAID-supported Ilkinjiler Farmers’ Association immediately convened... Read More ...
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New Law on Business Inspections to Empower Entrepreneurs
On March 27, the Kyrgyz Parliament approved the Law on Inspections of Businesses, marking an important improvement for the Kyrgyz business community. This law, drafted by the USAID Commercial Law Project... Read More ...
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Kazakhstan Simplifies Travel Service Certification
The Kazakhstan Tourism Association, with support from two USAID projects, persuaded the lawmakers to cancel the mandatory certification of services related to booking and selling tickets for passenger and cargo air transportation... Read More ...
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Rural Juice Maker Boosts Exports
USAID’s Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) Specialist Mirnail Mirsalahov was recently contacted by a rural beverage producer for help with entering the international health juice market... Read More ...
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Electricity Quadruples Sales for Local Flour Mill
Ilyas Jafarov, owner of the only flour mill in the Jafarhanli village of Jalilabad, Azerbaijan, has provided three primary services to surrounding farmers for nearly a decade: flour milling, wheat and barley seed cleaning, and mixed feed production... Read More ...
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Expert Advice Yields Big Profits for Tomato Processor
By sharing technical and marketing expertise, USAID’s Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) has helped scores of rural producers and processors dramatically increase their sales. This is one story... Read More ...
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Study Tour Jumpstarts Kyrgyz Craftsmen Association
Upon return from their USAID-sponsored Community Connections study tour in the U.S., 10 female artisans organized an association of craftsmen of Naryn and Issykkul Oblasts, which they named “NAISK – Ohio” in honor of their site visit... Read More ...
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Roundtable on Oil Revenues and State Expenditures
On April 5, the Eurasia Foundation and the Entrepreneurship Development Foundation held a one-day, USAID-supported roundtable on “Oil Revenues and State Expenditures” to examine transparency and efficiency... Read More ...
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Veterinarian Network Improves Cattle-Breeding in Southern Kyrgyzstan
On January 31, USAID, Mercy Corps, and local government representatives opened the Veterinary Service and Artificial Insemination Center in Nookat, Osh Oblast... Read More ...
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Donji Miholjac Experiences Economic Revival
In Donji Miholjac, a mid-sized town located along the Hungarian border in eastern Croatia, high unemployment and a poor business climate depressed incomes for many years... Read More ...
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Azerbaijan Imports Irrigations Innovations from Israel
Twenty-three Azerbaijani nationals traveled to Israel March 4-18 to participate in a USAID-funded course, “Irrigation Systems for Intensive Crop Production,” delivered in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs... Read More ...
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Water Program Increases Farmer Profits by $1M
Tajik farmers participating in the USAID-funded Water User Association Support Project (WUASP) increased their profitability by an estimated $1 million from their 6,300 hectares of irrigated farm land in 2006... Read More ...
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USAID Supports a Azerbaijani Processor to Expand Product Line
In its first year of operation, a fruit and vegetable company processed 400 tons of pickled cucumber and purchased 50 tons of aseptic tomato paste from a large canning factory in the area for repackaging into 720 gram jars... Read More ...
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Broad Exposure Yields Big Sales for Small Azerbaijani Jam Maker
A small jam maker and hazelnut processor in northwest Azerbaijan first approached USAID for help in building its business back in 2004. The company relied on manual production carried out by just 25 employees... Read More ...
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Republika Srpska Enacts Business-Friendly Reforms
Starting a business in Republika Srpska (RS) now takes far less time than it used to thanks to the efforts of USAID’s Streamlining Permits and Inspection Regimes Activity (SPIRA)... Read More ...
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Albanian Processor Finds Recipe for Success
Eight years ago, the four Kimça brothers, operated a small meat grinding and sausage making business in the northern Albanian city of Shkodra. Today, their business, Meat Master, is one of Albania’s leading meat processing companies... Read More ...
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Peace Building in an Apple Orchard
Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgia has experienced two ethnic conflicts over territory. Both have been “frozen” for over a decade and remain unresolved. In the case of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict, which was fought from 1991-1992... Read More ...
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USAID Helps Furniture Maker Market Product, Find Suppliers
Since beginning operations in 1999, a modern furniture maker in Bilesuvar, central Azerbaijan, has been specializing in the manufacture of furniture that comply with European standards and tastes... Read More ...
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Local Bread Producer Sees Sales Rise
In recent years, a small bread producer in Goranboy, central Azerbaijan, has lost market share because of its inability to keep pace with the changing preferences of consumers... Read More ...
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USAID Helps Sunflower Processor Boost Sales, Expand Operations
USAID’s Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) Account Manager Elvin Agayev began working a small, rural-based processor of sunflower products – oil, cakes, and seeds – in December 2005... Read More ...
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Alumnae Use Handicraft Businesses to Help Others Succeed
In December, USAID Community Connections Handicraft Production and Marketing Exchange alumnae Humaya Mammadova and Gulshan Aliyeva opened two new workshops in Quba (north) and Fuzuli (central Azerbaijan)... Read More ...
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Kazakhstan Joins Global Entrepreneurship Monitoring Consortium
With support from USAID’s Kazakhstan Small Business Development (KSBD) project, in January 2007, the Innovative Eurasia University of Pavlodar was selected to perform a complete Global Entrepreneuship Monitoring (GEM)... Read More ...
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Saakashvili Says Greens Packaging Is Georgia’s Business Card
Fresh herbs are one of the major export crops grown in Western Georgia, and constitute the primary source of income for some 7,000 families. Prior to the Russian Embargo on Georgian agricultural products... Read More ...
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Targeted Strategy Leads to Sparkling Success
Ukraine’s glass industry may be on the verge of a dynamic new chapter in its development if the results achieved by one major glass producer at a recent European trade fair are any indication... Read More ...
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Agro-Business Center Helps Beverage Producer Boost Sales
A local beverage producer which had achieved limited success across Azerbaijan turned to the USAID-funded Azerbaijan Agro-Business Center (AAC) for help in penetrating Ganja, the second largest market in the country... Read More ...
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Radio Station Bridges Ethnic Divide
In 1997, Amna Popovac was having coffee with some journalist friends in Mostar, a city divided between Catholic Croats in the west and Muslim Bosniaks in the east... Read More ...
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Annual Conference Bears Fruit for Farmers
The 3rd Annual Fruits and Vegetables Conference and Exhibition, sponsored by USAID’s Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP), was held in Kyiv on December 5-6... Read More ...
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Securing the Future of Media Support
Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) after a devastating ethnic conflict ended in 1995. Since then, stability has gradually returned, and donors are turning their attention to other regions in need... Read More ...
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Kazakhstan’s Farmers Diversify Crops, Increase Profit
In 2006, farmers who received support from USAID’s Water Users Associations Assistance Program (WUAAP) achieved increased productivity at a level three times greater than the national average... Read More ...
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Groomed for Success
Confidence breeds success and, in turn, can help a business thrive. Sevinj Aliyeva, owner of a beauty salon in Gazakh, a small town in north-western Azerbaijan, knows this firsthand... Read More ...
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Kazakh Regional Agriculture Trade Show a Big Hit
USAID’s Water Users Associations Assistance Program (WUAAP), in partnership with SodBi Business Incubator and the Southern Kazakhstan Regional Government, held an agricultural
trade show in the regional capital – Shymkent... Read More ...
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Farmer-to-Farmer Program Yields Cross-Cultural Collaboration
USAID’s Farmer-to-Farmer (FtF) Program operates in 40+ countries. It provides volunteers to help not just farmers, but agribusinesses and their supporting organizations to promote sustainable improvements in food processing, production, and marketing... Read More ...
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New Bazaar to Increase Local Economic Opportunities
Tavildara’s first bazaar, built with support from USAID’s Tajikistan Conflict Prevention Project, officially opened on September 3... Read More ...
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Estonia Shares Development Lessons with New EU Countries
From October 8-15, a group of local development experts from eight Bulgarian municipalities traveled to Estonia for training on Improving the Economic Development Environment of Local Communities... Read More ...
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Turkmen/Uzbek Farmer Exchange Boosts Quality, Production
In September 2006, six leading Turkmen greenhouse growers and greenhouse input suppliers traveled to Uzbekistan to meet growers from the eastern part of that country... Read More ...
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Tea, Herbs Mean Big Business for BiH
Visitors to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) learn quickly that its citizens are great fans of herbal remedies. In fact, more than 100,000 families throughout the country collect and grow herbal plants... Read More ...
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Collaboration Creates 100+ New Jobs for Croatia
Just five years ago, the Donji Miholjac area, located in eastern Croatia along the Hungarian border, suffered from high unemployment and a poor entrepreneurial climate... Read More ...
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Produce Prices at a Farmer’s Fingertips
Information is money. Easy-to-use technology can mean better prices for agricultural producers. In agriculture, wholesale buyers know at what prices they can sell produce for at terminal markets... Read More ...
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Ethno-Network Strives to Make Handicraft Production Profitable
Until recently, those looking for well-made, traditional handicrafts in Serbia had to look pretty hard. Good quality products were being made but only shoppers in-the-know could easily find them... Read More ...
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Ready for Business, Serbia Redefines its Image
You can't export if people are afraid to do business with you. This is a problem that has faced Serbia. Tasked with helping Serbian companies increase revenues and create jobs... Read More ...
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Entrepreneurship Center to Strengthen Business Practices in Kazakhstan
In May, USAID’s Business and Economics Education Project (B&EE) helped open the Kazakhstan-American Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (KACEBI) at the Western-Kazakhstan Institute of Languages and Management “Evrazia”... Read More ...
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Common Standards Bring Industry Together
In industry, adhering to standards means getting the service or product exactly as you expected it. Not so long ago, when a company placed an order with Ukrainian apparel factory... Read More ...
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Cruise Ship Tourism Returns to Ukraine
When a cruise ship visits a port, it means money. The boat’s passengers spend their cash in the port and its owners buy local port services... Read More ...
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From Banana Boxes to Brand Recognition
Produce brand names often arise from the region where the commodity being branded is produced. Such is the case with Crimean table grapes, which enjoy brand recognition with Ukrainians... Read More ...
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Ukraine Fashion Event Gathers Designers, Manufacturers
What Westerners consider a fashion industry – creative designers, skilled manufacturers who translate their visions into well-made clothes, and a developed distribution network – didn’t exist in Ukraine for a long time... Read More ...
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Ukrainian Tourism Says Goodbye to the Dead Season
Larissa Kazachenko is a successful business woman with 15 years of experience in the tourism business. Her agency, Southern Tour, opened in 1996, specializes in cultural and historic tourism... Read More ...
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USAID’s Grants Restore Looted Businesses in Bishkek
In March 2006, USAID completed its six-month Looted Business Loan Support Program (LBLS) that facilitated the recovery of businesses that were either looted or suffered the consequences of looting... Read More ...
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Georgia Opens for Business
When American investor Matt Bartelsian shared his plans to open a new juice factory overseas, a colleague urged him to contact the Georgian government’s new business information center... Read More ...
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USAID to Help Kyrgyz Government Conduct Land Reform Pilot
On June 1st, the Government of Kyrgyzstan approved a list of ten pilot communities to test new principles for management and use of land contained in the Land Redistribution Fund... Read More ...
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Social Partnership Looks to Replicate Russian Success in Ukraine
From June 14th – 16th, representatives from USAID/Russia, USAID/Ukraine, and from USAID/Russia’s implementing partners participated in the annual meeting of the Coordination Council on Social Partnership of the SUAL Company... Read More ...
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No Ordinary Ribbon Cutting: Ethno Evening Highlights Work of Serbian Artists
“An Evening with the Ethno-Network” in Belgrade gave a chance for artisans from around Serbia to promote traditional, handcrafted products. The highlight of the June 29th event, which gathered several hundred artists, fashion designers, government officials and diplomats... Read More ...
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Organic Buckwheat Wins New Markets
Samir Mehonic and Vesna Latifovic were in a unique position. Their organic buckwheat products had just won the “Golden Rose” prize for best new product of the year... Read More ...
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Textile Sector Reaps Benefits of Cooperation
For many Ukrainian apparel manufacturers, assembling clothes for foreign companies under a “cut-and-make” scheme is a way to survive while their own brands develop... Read More ...
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USAID-supported Economic Opportunity Center in Tajikistan Celebrates its
One-Year Anniversary
The Isfara City Economic Opportunity Center, established by the USAID Alternatives to Conflict in Tajikistan (ACT) Project, celebrated its one-year anniversary this month... Read More ...
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Dutch Tourists Plan Summer Holidays in BiH
For the first time, a Dutch tourism agency will include excursions to BiH as part of its summer tour offerings... Read More ...
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Kosovo Cheese Makers Taste Success
A cheese-tasting event in Gjakove/Djakovica in April produced immediate orders for two Kosovo dairy processors... Read More ...
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Some Find Farm Business Model Best Tool for Success
Failing to plan is planning to fail” is a popular saying. Unfortunately, many tradition-bound farmers in Ukraine have never paid much attention to planning... Read More ...
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Ukrainian Farmers Learn to Master Loans
If you have never applied for a loan, it is probably only a matter of time before you do. Personal and commercial bank loans, commonly used by most everybody in the United States and Europe... Read More ...
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Kyrgyzstan Holds First Privately-Organized Textile Trade Fair
From March 1-7, 2006, the Association of Light Industry “LEGPROM,” with USAID support, held the first international textile trade fair organized by a private entity in Kyrgyzstan... Read More ...
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Gates Lends Support to Croatia’s IT Efforts
Technology is a driving force in business and everyday life, said Bill Gates, Microsoft President in a special statement for Croatian Television... Read More ...
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Bosnian Refugee Family Begins Making Restaurant Dream a Reality
Robert and Sonja Hadzic, a mixed-marriage refugee family from Trebinje, Bosnia, came to Serbia with only a few bags of their most precious personal belongings... Read More ...
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Montenegrin Families Thrive on Small Business Opportunities
After losing their jobs at a state-owned company in the Montenegrin coastal city of Bar, Julija Skretovic, her husband, Halil, and their 19-year-old unemployed son, faced serious economic hardship... Read More ...
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Opportunity Bank Helps Strengthen Montenegro’s Private Sector
Mali Medo is Montenegro's only children's clothing manufacturing firm. What began as a husband-and-wife entrepreneurial startup has grown considerably... Read More ...
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First Luxury Chocolate from Serbia Enters World Markets
In December 2005, Belgrade chocolate maker Mirjana Kostic formally launched Adoré Chocolat, Serbia's first luxury chocolate brand... Read More ...
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Success in Business Breeds Success in Community Service
The name “Lyudmyla” can be translated from Ukrainian as a one who is “dear to people.” Lyudmila Sobol from Khudyaki village, Cherkasy oblast, mirrors the name fully... Read More ...
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USAID Micro-Grants Help Serbia’s Vulnerable Residents
In late 2004 a special project "Start Your Own Business" was launched as part of the Community Revitalization through Democratic Action (CRDA) program... Read More ...
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Tajik Firm Finds Buyers in Afghanistan
Participation in the Rebuild Afghanistan Exhibition was an excellent investment for Tajik company Doro, a client of the USAID Enterprise Development Project (EDP) implemented by Pragma... Read More ...
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Villagers Rejuvenate Local Food Production in Southwestern Montenegro
The Montenegrin region of Katunska Nahija, with the villages Cevo, Njegusi, and Tresnjevo, is well-known for its traditional production of ham, dried meat, and cheese... Read More ...
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Moldova’s One-Stop-Shops Curb Corruption and Save Time, Money for
Businesses
Valentina Capraru, a bookkeeper for a small company, came to the One-Stop-Shop for permit authorizations in the town of Cahul to apply for a trade authorization... Read More ...
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Partnering with Private Sector, USAID Flood Relief Saves Harvest for Many
Romanian Farmers
One year ago, in April 2005, severe flooding hit the western part of Romania. USAID mounted an immediate campaign to assist those most affected and support relief efforts... Read More ...
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Croatian Dairy Producers Benefit from One Man’s Vision, USAID
Support
In 1992, Tomaic Commerce Ltd. did not exist, except in the vision of one person, Mr. Vladimir Tomaic. He began processing milk and producing hard cheese in his back yard with the support of his wife and children... Read More ...
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USAID Technical Assistance Helps Croatian Businesses Expand
Many small companies face serious problems when their company outgrows the capabilities of the founding owner... Read More ...
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Ukrainian Breeze Ready to Blow into the EU Market
As Ukraine prepares to enter the World Trade Organization global trade market, Ukrainian food processors must meet a key export precondition to ensure the safety of the food they process to compete effectively.... Read More ...
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CEED has launched its first training in Varna and Burgas
The Bulgarian Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) was officially launched on September, 20, 2005 with the support of USAID and the Small Enterprise Assistance Fund (SEAF)... Read More ...
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Adoption of New Standards Helps Cerealia Attract Major Global Food
Producers
Cerealia Ukraine Ltd., a member of Cerealia Group Corp., processes and promotes cereal food products. In 1991, the plant made the transition to modern technologies... Read More ...
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Free Legal Consultation Yields Privatized Land for Ukraine’s Farmers
At least half of the 3,000 registered farmers in Ukraine’s Kherson region have heard of Viktor Poleshchuk. Poleschchuk was the first farmer in the region to privatize arid and sandy land instead of fertile chornozem land... Read More ...
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Bankruptcy is Not the End for Unis Tadiv Employees
Workers at Unis Tadiv in Konjic are getting paid once again thanks to the company’s decision to
file for bankruptcy... Read More ...
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Smoothing the Path for Business in Moldova
In Moldova, regulatory reform has become an increasingly popular tool to effectively fight corruption and bribery. When combined with political will and popular support, regulatory reform is virtually unbeatable... Read More ...
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BiH Dairy Farmers Boost Milk Production
Nine famers from Buzim were recently let in on a valuable secret: Cutting their grass earlier can increase their winter milk production by as much as 10 to 15%... Read More ...
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Twelve Bulgarian Municipalities Open for Business Development
Municipal Local Economic Development is a relatively new but growing concept in Bulgaria. In order to facilitate that growth, USAID has established its municipal local economic development (LED) program in Bulgaria... Read More ...
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USAID-Supported Incubator to Boost Small Business Development in
Kyrgyzstan
The lack of financial resources, business know-how, and the costliness of adequate space are but some of the formidable obstacles to small business development in Kyrgyzstan... Read More ...
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Cultivating a Symbol of Peace: Revitalizing Montenegro’s Olive Oil Industry
Montenegro, with its 450,000 olive trees, was once the main olive oil supplier for the former Yugoslavia. The collapse of Yugoslavia, subsequent economic sanctions... Read More ...
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USAID-Supported Accounting Program Gains Momentum in Kazakhstan
The availability of trained accountants is essential for Kazakhstan’s conversion to international financial reporting standards, which are key to trade and investment growth in the region... Read More ...
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Training DVD Targets Bulgarian Apparel Industry
More than 2500 apparel and textile companies generate a quarter of all Bulgarian exports and employ more than 170,000 people. The apparel industry faces severe threats from global competition... Read More ...
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Ethnographic Artwork Debuts on the Catwalk
USAID's Community Revitalization through Democratic Action (CRDA) program was started throughout Serbia in 2001. One of the program's areas of emphasis is the country's ethnographic arts and crafts industry... Read More ...
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Young Macedonian IT Firms Join Forces to Win Major European Bank
Contract
It was a daring move. In September 2005, Infinite Solutions and EuroNetCom, two relatively new Macedonian IT companies, decided to compete for a contract with one of the largest banks in Europe... Read More ...
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Deregulation Efforts Lead to $150 Million in Savings for Kazakhstani
Businesses
USAID’s Trade Facilitation and Investment Project successfully reduced business constraints related to nine separate processes in seven cities during the last quarter of 2005... Read More ...
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Stara Zagora Supports Its Roma Craftsmen
On October 31, 2005, six Roma craftsmen from the Technitari Union in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria received free equipment and instruments for maintenance and development... Read More ...
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U.S. Faith-Based Investors Get Warm Reception in Rural Macedonia
Slave Velesanov isn’t the sort of person who lets opportunities pass him by. As a practicing Minister in Strumica, an agricultural community in the southern part of the Republic of Macedonia... Read More ...
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Oldest Bulgarian Business Association Opens Commercial Mediation Center
On October 27, 2005, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) officially opened its Commercial Mediation Center... Read More ...
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Strong Messages Urge Moldovan Entrepreneurs to Support Regulatory Reform
“Tired of writing too many reports?” “Tired of staying in too many lines?” “Tired of too many inspections? These are just a few messages one can frequently see while strolling or driving in Moldova... Read More ...
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Rural Tourism Development Supports Private Enterprise Growth in Belarus
Over a freshly-made cheese fritter drenched in homemade sour cream and topped with hand-picked strawberries... Read More ...
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Helping to Formalize Refugee Businesses
DUO STIL is the name of a newly registered furniture production and repair company. It is co-owned by the Dabic and Tasic families, internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Kosovo and Metohija... Read More ...
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New Methods Extend Markets for Serbian Raspberries
Technicians at the Libertas fruit company, with help from the USAID / Serbia Enterprise Development Project (SEDP), are testing storage and shipping methods... Read More ...
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Serbian Jam Gets a Makeover
With help from the USAID/Serbia Enterprise Development Project (SEDP), the Belgrade based Foodex Company is preparing an international launch... Read More ...
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Roma Family Rebuilds Life and Looks to the Future
The Jahiris are a Roma family of ten who escaped the Kosovo conflict in 1999. They once lived on half a hectare of land, growing greenhouse vegetables... Read More ...
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Serbia Opens its First “Business-Incubator” Center
Eight small enterprises in the southeastern Serbian municipality of Knjazevac are the first to have the opportunity to get the jump-start they need to become economically viable... Read More ...
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Rural Credit Project Yields Success for Azerbaijan’s Farmers
Elshad Bayramov, a small-scale dairy farmer, vastly improved his operations with the help of loans totaling $16,000 from CredAgro, a rural lending institution established under the Azerbaijan Rural Credit (ARC) Project... Read More ...
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Demand-Driven Approach Bears Fruit for Watermelon Farmers
One of the biggest problems facing watermelon growers in rural Azerbaijan is selling their product. Every year, farmers raise thousands of tons of watermelons... Read More ...
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Serbian Knitwear Maker Doubles Revenues, Continues Growth
For Serbian knitwear maker Ivkovic Trikotaza, the future is looking as bright as the company's innovative fashions... Read More ...
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Water Supply Overhaul in Montenegro Improves Tourism, Creates New
Jobs
Montenegro is a country of exquisite natural and cultural resources. Every summer, more than 600,000 tourists flock to its shores and towns... Read More ...
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Belgrade-Chicago Sister City Relationship Brings Dawn of a New Era in Serbia Diaspora Relations
The establishment of a Sister City relationship with a US city with a strong Serbian Diaspora was a top priority when USAID first began working with the City of Belgrade in February 2005... Read More ...
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Citizens Help Mountain Village Progress
Economic Development Center helps local groups intent on boosting tourism in one of Macedonia’s prettiest villages... Read More ...
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A Wholesaler of Frozen Food Goes Fresh
Oksana Bondarivs’ka, 42, a vegetarian, had always had problems finding fresh quality produce in her district. Although there was a small bazaar right across the street and several small retailers... Read More ...
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Ukrainian Clothing Brand Success Paves the Way to Russia
On average, a Ukrainian clothing manufacturer works under a “cut-and-make scheme,” earning about 30 cents for each piece of clothing it produces... Read More ...
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Farmers Join Forces to Compete Effectively A Year of Joint Work Yields $145,000 in Sales
Small-scale farms in Zhovkva, Lviv Oblast, faced a new marketing challenge when fruit and vegetable processors and wholesalers began to move away from individual producers to larger legal agricultural entities... Read More ...
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Legal Aid Center Helps Farmer Start Business
Stanislav Sych, a miller from Nykyforivtsi Village of Vinnytsia Oblast, inherited 3 hectares of land. He did not have much farm experience and wanted to lease out his new parcel... Read More ...
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Ukrainian Glass Sparkles in its Debut at the World’s Premier Home Furnishings Show
While the glass-making tradition in Ukraine does not compare to the Czech Republic, where the Czechs have practiced the craft since at least the 12th century... Read More ...
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Internet as New “Market” To Sell Farmers’ Produce
About a year ago, Yaroslav Mayovets, a farmer from western Ukraine, faced a difficult marketing dilemma. He had a great carrot harvest, but so had many of the farmers in his region... Read More ...
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Saving the 2005 Tourist Season in Ukraine
In March 2005, Ukrainian tour operators and tour agents were astonished to learn that the latest amendments to the State Budget law would introduce VAT (value added tax) on inbound tourism services... Read More ...
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Think Tank Considers Strategy for Russian Far East Development
On June 22-24, the Far Eastern Center for Economic Development, a USAID/Russia partner think tank, held a Forum on Regional Strategic Development in Vladivostok... Read More ...
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Corrupt Marketing Practices Exposed Thanks to USAID Media Initiative
Dzepobran, a consumer protection TV series, aired a story on one of the major grocery stores in BiH. The crew discovered that the store's promotional campaign... Read More ...
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Freezer Helps BiH Women’s Farmer Association Increase Dairy Sales
Under its Linking Agriculture Markets to Producers (LAMP) project, USAID provided
a Lacto freezer to support the Women’s Farmer Association from Tesanj and Usora... Read More ...
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Returnee Families Receive Support for Fresh Start
In April, USAID distributed 41 small loans and 56 grants to extremely vulnerable minority returnee families under its Economic Assistance to Support Sustainable Minority Returns in BiH project... Read More ...
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Students Breathe Fresh Life into Furniture Design
Industrial design students had a unique chance to exhibit their creations at the 5-day “Made in BiH” workshop sponsored by USAID’s Cluster Competitiveness Activity (CCA)... Read More ...
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Building Bridges in the Poultry Industry
Two Farmer to Farmer Volunteers, Dr. Alling Yanci and Dr. Beth Krushinsky, recruited by ACDI/VOCA, a USAID-funded program, delivered detailed food safety presentations for the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) at a conference in Moscow... Read More ...
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Quality Proves Key to Mushrooming Success in BiH
In 2001, Milan Zoric and Boran Maglov had a dream to build a business exporting organic mushrooms of the highest quality. So, based upon their combined experience with finance and medicinal and aromatic plants... Read More ...
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B2B Boosts Cross-Border Trading for Balkans
The 7th Business-To-Business Forum sponsored by the Montenegro Business Alliance was held on May 19th at Sveti Stefan, Montenegro. More than 160 companies from the Balkan region... Read More ...
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Moldovan Dairy Farmers Hit Two Million Lei in Sales
When Liudmila Serepitco, a retired teacher in Cainarii Vechi, started a modest milk collection point 8 years ago, she had no idea that her attempt at entrepreneurship would touch the lives... Read More ...
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Survey Shows Russian Companies Adopting International Accounting Standards
On May 28, the USAID-sponsored Russian Institute of Directors (RID) presented the results of its annual survey of the corporate governance practices of Russian companies... Read More ...
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Business Associations in Twelve Regions Promote Reforms
During a five-day workshop in Smolensk last week, business associations from Smolenskaya, Nizhegorodskaya, Kirovskaya, and Kamchatskaya Oblasts each created work plans to improve the business climate in their regions... Read More ...
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Women’s Cooperative Reinvents Traditional Craftmaking
Economic changes in Serbia, including structural adjustment and privatization policies, have led to dramatic increases in poverty and insecurity for poor women... Read More ...
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Junior Achievement Partnership Prepares Student Entrepreneurs for Business
With a population of over 110,000, the central Serbian town of Smederevo is among the largest municipalities in the nation. Resting on the edge of the Sumadija region and stretching to the banks of the Danube and Morava rivers... Read More ...
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Natron Maglaj Joint Venture to Preserve 450 Jobs
BiH's pulp and paper-producing firm, Natron Maglaj, was privatized through a joint venture with Kastamonu Entegre, part of the Hayat Holding Group from Turkey... Read More ...
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New USAID-Supported Legislation in Moldova Cuts Business Regulations
Business in Moldova may have reached a breakthrough moment when a new law on reviewing and streamlining business regulations, developed with substantial input from USAID and Bizpro/Moldova... Read More ...
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Krajina Emerging as a Tourist Destination
“There are so many tourists who should be shown what this part of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) can offer," said Milan Torbak from Zagreb, Croatia as he gazed at the crowd on Vlasic Mountain one sunny Sunday... Read More ...
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A Farmer Gains Profit by Signing Contracts with Supermarket Chains
Mykola Chumak, a Crimean farmer for 14 years, views the year 2004 as his most successful year for crops, profits and business contracts... Read More ...
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Supporting Tourism Entrepreneurship Along Serbia’s Corridor X
Roughly 10,000 vehicles per day travel along the Serbian stretch of the so-called Corridor X, a portion of the Munich-Athens international road that stretches... Read More ...
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Montenegro Business Alliance Wins Top Award in Worldwide Contest
The Montenegro Business Alliance (MBA), supported by the USAID Private Sector Development Project in Montenegro, has been chosen as the Overall Winner... Read More ...
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Private/Public Forum Created To Support Macedonian Entrepreneurs
The NECC was created in 2002 to provide a forum for constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors as a response to the obvious need to provide a place where serious issues facing business... Read More ...
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Albanian Gypsies in the Business
Like most Gypsies in Albania, Sofia and Gezim Neziri sold used clothing on the streets, they lived a marginalized existence of poverty, usually associated with their Jevgu/Roma communities... Read More ...
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Leasing Sows Seeds of Prosperity for Georgian Agriculture
It’s wild mushroom season in the mountains near Sachkere, Georgia and every day villagers of all ages fan out into the cool forests to collect succulent porcinis and chanterelles... Read More ...
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Business Training Helps Ukrainian Woman Realize Dreams
Makiyivka, Donetsk oblast, Ukraine - Victoria Nikitina worked as a processing engineer of bakery production at a state baker’s plant for 20 years until she saw a newspaper announcement about business training... Read More ...
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USAID-backed Programs Work To Improve Profits and Distribution Channels for Farming Cooperative in Rural Ukraine
Currently, the fruit and vegetable sector in Ukraine is comprised mainly of small plot farmers who depend on marketing their produce, including cucumbers in the fresh, local markets... Read More ...
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USAID Provides Aid to Macedonian Artisans
The Aid to Artisans (ATA) project works with artisans and small and medium-sized enterprises in Macedonia to develop local and export markets for traditional and contemporary craft products, thus increasing their incomes and creating employment... Read More ...
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Orchard Growers Association Helps Members Expand Sales From Local Markets to Supermarket
Assisted by Agricultural Marketing Project, an Association member Mykola Olijnyk, finds new marketing possibilities and sells 82 tons of apples to Cherkasy supermarkets... Read More ...
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First Financing Resource Guide Published for Azerbaijan Businesses
In May 2004, the Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center released The Complete Guide to Financing in Azerbaijan. This is the first comprehensive financing resource guide available to Azerbaijan business community... Read More ...
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Cheer Dried Fruit Finding New International Markets
In the sun-soaked fields of Armavir Marz lays an inspiring success story. The Cheer company produces dried fruits and vegetables for export and has been a DAIASME partner for more than three years... Read More ...
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A Catalyst Approach to a Farm Cooperative’s Success in Halaidovo Village
Forming cooperatives according to western principles has not been easy in Ukraine. Attitudes and idealism left over from the old collective agriculture system still pervade... Read More ...
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Khmelnytsky Farmers Make Profit by Growing Elite Potato Seed
Until recently, Ukrainian farmers and house plot owners (HPOs) grew potatoes using old traditional methods and backward technologies, mostly for their home consumption... Read More ...
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Supporting Macedonia's New Cheese Exporters
There are 50,000 people in Macedonian who make their livelihood from sheep, mostly from the sale of lamb and cheese. In general, their standard of living is low, but Macedonians connected with the industry... Read More ...
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Market Information (MI) Journal Makes a Large Impact During Its First Year
Ukraine has long been known for its substantial share of the most fertile land in the world. Twenty-four percent of 22.5 million of the Ukrainian workforce work in the agricultural sector... Read More ...
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Modernizing the Operating Techniques and Equipment in Macedonia
The Dushan Ciric company is one of 40 in a Land O’Lakes program backed by USAID to modernize the operating techniques and equipment of fruit and vegetable producers in Macedonia... Read More ...
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Informed Analysis by AAC Assures Optimized Investment Decisions by Azeri Businesses Equipment Upgrades
The Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center assured that Azeri agribusiness companies maximized their business investments by assisting them in gathering and assessing critical information on construction and equipment before funds were expended... Read More ...
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Consulting Firms Network to Boost Regional Trade and Expertise in Southeast Europe
In its short 18 month life, the TRADE Network is already yielding clear benefits of increased cooperation among consulting firms in domestic as well as in the Southeast Europe Regional market... Read More ...
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The Agricultural Marketing Project in Ukraine Helps Farmers Identify New Distribution Channels
The Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP) is currently working on ways to assist farmers in identifying, marketing, and better distributing their produce to increase incomes, lower expenses... Read More ...
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Wine & Cheese Festival in Ohrid Delivers Market Feedback for Traditional Macedonian Sheepherders
Macedonian sheepherders use traditional techniques to produce wonderful tasting feta and other sheep cheeses. Although cheese is one of their most profitable income sources, a majority of their production is sold from the farm gate to re-sellers... Read More ...
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Underwear Maker Jasmil Prepares Exports to US
Arilje-based textile producer Jasmil has been preparing its first batches of children’s underwear to be shipped to the United States in February 2005, thanks to deals made during Jasmil’s participation in autumn fashion fairs in New York... Read More ...
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