AID grant no EUR-0024-G-00-1068-00 to the National Cooperative Business Association to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the production and agribusiness, particularly cooperatives, sectors of the agricultural economies of East European countries

NCBA will establish an office, to be named the Cooperative Trade and Business Development Center (CTBDC), in a city still to be selected. The CTBDC, through participating U.S. cooperatives, will provide TA and training to help promising cooperatives develop into private businesses, a leading objective being the development of economic relationships, including joint ventures, with U.S. cooperative/businesses. The businesses will be helped to value assets and develop financial, marketing, production, and personnel management plans. Specific areas to be addressed include organizational restructuring, management and administration, agricultural production and processing, storage and distribution systems, farm supply systems, finance and credit systems, and market development and promotion. The CTBDC will also help the businesses to obtain loan/equity financing necessary to finance economic relationships with U.S. businesses, although these funds will not be available from USAID.