Program Overview:
The two-year Business Connections program funded by USAID-Kazakhstan builds the capacity and competitiveness of Kazakhstani small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through their modernization and expansion. The program aligns with the Government of Kazakhstan’s (GOKZ) national development plan to diversify the economy through the development of Kazakhstani SMEs. Business Connections also supports the objectives of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and the JSC Entrepreneurship Development Fund (DAMU). CNFA identifies expert agriculture trainers, plans and implements agricultural focused study tours through the support of volunteer experts, and assists in the creation of agriculture related training materials to meet the program objectives.Problem Statement:
- Although Kazakhstan exhibits exceptional growth potential in the small business sector, poor business development practices inhibit competitiveness
Approach:
- Identify qualified US agricultural business experts to develop training curriculums and deliver business management courses to participants
- Select at least 100 participants, representing Kazakhstani companies in targeted industry sectors, to participate in study tour
- Facilitate three-week long study tours, which include industry-specific training, business meetings with US companies, roundtable seminars, and trade shows
- Redesign the DAMU business portal to encourage information sharing and distance learning among participants
Expected Impacts:
- Train 400 Kazakhstani business owners on best business practices
- Strengthen 75% of participating organization’s business plans after the completion of training and study tours
- Encourage 40 participating firms to invest in improved technologies
- Increase revenue of participating firms by 10%
- Register 500 participants on DAMU’s website for online training
- Expand the capacity of DAMU’s IT learning resources by 50%