EU-ACP Business Assistance scheme (30 MECU)
Project / Program Summary

Sector(s):	Support to private sector
Title:	EU-ACP Business Assistance Scheme
Donor country / organization:	European Commission
Other donors / organizations involved:	none
Beneficiary countries / regions:	All ACP countries, emphasis on countries with a policy to stimulate the private sector development.
Implementing agencies in beneficiary countries / regions:	European Commission, Programme Management
Duration:	three years
Starting Date:	January 1999
Project / Program budget:	30 MECU, of which 20 MECU gran fund
Finance / Type of cooperation:	grant / technical cooperation

Objectives
Enhanced competitiveness of the ACP enterprises.
Activities / contents
The Programme purpose is to activate the market for trade related support services through:
- by encouraging enterprises and groups to buy or rent external business development services as a means of improving their competitiveness;
- by encouraging local service providers to develop their supply of specialised skills.
This will be achieved by providing "firm-level" grants which cover 50% of the costs of accessing or developing such services, the other 50% being met by the beneficiary.
Expected outcomes / impacts
Support to at least 1,000 companies in ACP countries.
Incremental export and sales revenues of approx. 90 MECU
Features in line with the Agenda for Action
Promotion of the private sector/capacity building.

Directorate General For Development (DG VIII)
Unit VIII/B/4
200 rue de la Ioi
1049 - Brussels

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