Economic Growth

Firms Project

Period	May 2009 - April 2013
Funding *	$47,688,726
Location(s)	Nationwide

Project Description

This project seeks to develop dynamic, internationally competitive small and medium- sized enterprises in Pakistan's most vulnerable areas. Focusing on the agriculture marketing, livestock, industry, minerals, and tourism sectors, the project is helping increase profitability, incomes, and investment while identifying and removing constraints to private-sector development and job growth. The project is also encouraging the development of a business-enabling environment by providing support to the Government of Pakistan to improve planning and budgeting approaches, reform policies according to international best practices, and streamline regulations and procedures at the national, provincial, and district levels.

Results To Date

• Punjab and Sindh agriculture-marketing reforms enacted, which will improve productivity and profitability by helping create a demand-driven system led by the private sector.
• 22 flood-damaged fisheries in Malakand restored, providing livelihoods to 110 households.
• Production at 20 mango farms increased by 25 percent, and quality certification essential for exports awarded.
• Post-harvest losses reduced by 40 percent at 26 date and mango processors.
• Production of value-added products (e.g., pulp, dried mangoes) begun at 15 farms.
• 4,372-plus tons of mangos exported during 2011 season, representing a 60 percent increase in aggregate exports sales by value and 90 percent increase by quantity.
• 58 exporters primed for international market requirements.
• Sample and trial shipments conducted with major buyers in the EU and Gulf and three commercial consignments (first ever) to the United States.
• 4,500 farmers and extension workers from mango- and date-growing areas in Sindh and Punjab trained.
• 4,000-plus acres of flood-affected mango orchards rehabilitated.
• 239 conflict and flood-affected hotels in Swat repaired; all are now fully booked.
• Private sector industry and tourism vision documents and implementation plans developed for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Investment Promotion Council (IPC) initiated for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.

* Funding reflects Congressionally-appropriated funds provided for the project to date.

Last updated January 19, 2012