International Executive Service Corps

The project will be implemented by the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) and will provide in- country TA and establish a U.S.-based trade and investment service. Over the life of the project, some 345 IESC Volunteer Executives (VE"s) will provide short-term TA (lasting from 2 weeks to 3 months) to a variety of firms ranging from ceramics to dairy enterprises. The TA, will, on a case by case basis: improve management methods and organizational structures; institute guidelines to improve productivity and production quality; assist manufacturers in product development; introduce product standards for acceptance in domestic and export markets; and/or develop industry-specific training programs. Given the broad range of business assistance available through the project, any one business could rely on IESC to provide a number of services. IESC will provide Egyptian firms about 117 U.S.-based trade and investment service activities in the four following areas. (1) The American Business Linkage Enterprise (ABLE) will provide low- cost research and technical data to small and medium businesses that want to expand domestic or foreign sales. ABLE will also provide information on U.S. market surveys and import requirements. (2) Joint Venture Searches, an activity similar to ABLE, will use the data base maintained at IESC headquarters to help establish contacts between prospective U.S. investors and Egyptian partners. (3) IESC"s Quoting Service will provide price information on U.S. equipment, products, and commodities to be imported by Egyptian firms. (4) The Trade Enhancement Program will match specific Egyptian companies with U.S. companies to explore ways of enhancing Egyptian exports while also encouraging imports from the United States. The project will encourage more active participation by women in private sector activities and will collect disaggregated data on women"s participation in the project.