Economic Prosperity Initiative (EPI) Annual Report Year 1

The initiative began in 2010 and was implemented over a period of one year, from September 30, 2010, to September 30, 2011. The program was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and was managed by Deloitte Consulting LLP. The EPI program focused on several key areas, including foreign investment, domestic investment, exports, employment, productivity, and revenue. The program also included a number of sub-components, including the Agriculture Sectors Component (AG), the Manufacturing & Service Sectors Component (M&S), and the Business Enabling Environment Component (BEE). The AG component focused on improving the competitiveness of the agriculture sector in the Caucasus region. This was achieved through a number of activities, including the development of value chain action plans, the improvement of access to information, and the establishment of model small holder groups. The M&S component focused on improving the competitiveness of the manufacturing and service sectors in the region, through activities such as the development of value chain action plans, the improvement of competitiveness in the tourism and ICT sectors, and the establishment of business enabling environment. The BEE component focused on improving the business enabling environment in the Caucasus region, through activities such as the analysis of policy and regulatory frameworks, the improvement of regulatory environments and licensing, and the establishment of public-private dialogue mechanisms. The program also included a number of cross-cutting activities, including the integration of gender and youth, the improvement of economic knowledge, and the establishment of access to finance. The EPI program achieved a number of significant results during its first year of implementation. These included a 27% increase in foreign investment, a 15% increase in domestic investment, and a 12% increase in exports. The program also achieved significant improvements in employment, productivity, and revenue, with a 10% increase in employment, a 12% increase in productivity, and a 15% increase in revenue. The program also made significant progress in improving the business enabling environment in the Caucasus region. This was achieved through a number of activities, including the analysis of policy and regulatory frameworks, the improvement of regulatory environments and licensing, and the establishment of public-private dialogue mechanisms. The program also established a number of model small holder groups and improved access to information for farmers in the region. The EPI program was implemented in partnership with a number of local and international organizations, including the Government of Georgia, the Georgian National Investment Agency, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The program also utilized a number of interns and USG personnel, and established partnerships with a number of local partners. Overall, the EPI program achieved significant results during its first year of implementation, and made significant progress in promoting economic growth and development in the Caucasus region.