This project will strengthen the competitiveness of microenterprises in Colombia's Atlantic Coast region by giving them access to markets through provision of specialized marketing services.Phase 1 covers: (a) official incorporation of Empresa Comercializadora de la Costa Atlántica de Colombia (ECA), the specialized marketing company in the Atlantic Coast region serving the microenterprise sector; and (b) establishment of an administrative and management framework laying the groundwork for ECA's commencement of business. Included are design of a business plan, in-depth market studies, framing of corporate policy, design of services envisioned, preparation of operation manuals, and drafting of regulations. Phase 2 of the project is devoted to starting up the ECA's operations and financing three components: a) development of ECA marketing tools (e.g., ongoing research into market trends, organization and attendance at such events as trade fairs, business conferences, and exhibitions, development of information systems for the maintenance of current databases on microenterprises, buyers and products) and technical capacity; (b) establishment of a production support fund to finance targeted, production-related advisory and technical assistance services provided by third parties; and (c) establishment of a fund for discounting bills and making advances for the purchase of raw materials. Financing for Phase 2 is contingent upon the success of Phase 1.
Project Detail
Country
Colombia
Project Number
TC9904001
Approval Date
June 14, 2000
Project Status
Closed
Project Type
Technical Cooperation
Sector
PRIVATE FIRMS AND SME DEVELOPMENT
Subsector
PRIVATE FIRMS AND SME DEVELOPMENT
Lending Instrument
Multilateral Investment Fund Instrument
Lending Instrument Code
MIF
Modality
-
Facility Type
-
Environmental and Social Impact Category (ESIC)
-
Total Cost
USD 1,570,000.00
Country Counterpart Financing
USD 720,000.00
Original Amount Approved
USD 850,000.00