Quarterly Progress Report FY19: October-December 2018 for USAID Laos Microenterprise

The Activity's support will benefit at least 8,000 Me, leading to 25% higher revenues and $1.3 million new investments. ACDI/VOCA will help USAID achieve these objectives using a private sector-driven, market systems approach. The Activity will identify existing and potential market opportunities and incentives, and engage medium and large businesses to invest in their operations and supply chains, while pulling Me into productive market systems. Next, ACDI/VOCA will work with lenders and borrowers to expand supply and demand for financial services to fuel investment. The Activity will also equip rural Me with business skills, market linkages, and advocacy ability to exploit these opportunities. Beneficiaries will include Me at the production level, input and service providers, intermediaries like traders and exporters, value-adding enterprises, and financial institutions. The Activity will target Xiengkhouang because of its agricultural potential, proximity to major regional corridors connecting Lao PDR to Thailand, China, and Vietnam, and potential to develop non-agricultural rural enterprises and sectors such as tourism and handicrafts. The goal of this activity is to increase the ability of Me in Lao PDR to offer products and services that meet the quality standards and needs of domestic and international markets at competitive price points. The Activity will also enhance their abilities to access and expand to markets, enabling them to increase their revenue and grow. The Activity's theory of change is based on the idea that if Me have improved entrepreneurial skills, improved access to technology and capital, reduced operation costs, and created market linkages, and if the government of Lao PDR gives policy voice to these businesses, then Laos Me will become more efficient, more competitive, and more competitive. The Activity will use a push-pull approach to start enterprise competitiveness along targeted value chains. By working backwards from the markets for relevant commodities, the Activity will identify lead businesses ready to invest in their supply chains. A package of technical assistance, credit facilitation, and matching grants will be provided to mitigate risk, catalyze private sector investment, and accelerate growth. As a result, these businesses will pull more Me into their expanding supply chains, improving access to cash markets, technology, infrastructure, value chain finance, training, and services. The Activity will also push rural Me toward commercial viability through the transfer of financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills, access to credit, and services. This will enable Me to reduce operation costs, increase their revenue, and grow. The Activity will also work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Technical Extension and Agricultural Processing, Provincial and District Agriculture and Forestry Offices, extension workers, and local business development services to equip rural Me with business skills, market linkages, and advocacy ability to exploit these opportunities. The Activity will target at least 8,000 Me, leading to 25% higher revenues and $1.3 million new investments. The Activity will also benefit Me at the production level, input and service providers, intermediaries like traders and exporters, value-adding enterprises, and financial institutions. The Activity will also target Xiengkhouang because of its agricultural potential, proximity to major regional corridors, and potential to develop non-agricultural rural enterprises and sectors. The Activity's goal is to increase the ability of Me in Lao PDR to offer products and services that meet the quality standards and needs of domestic and international markets at competitive price points. The Activity will also enhance their abilities to access and expand to markets, enabling them to increase their revenue and grow. The Activity will use a push-pull approach to start enterprise competitiveness along targeted value chains. The Activity will identify lead businesses ready to invest in their supply chains and provide a package of technical assistance, credit facilitation, and matching grants to mitigate risk, catalyze private sector investment, and accelerate growth. The Activity will also push rural Me toward commercial viability through the transfer of financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills, access to credit, and services. The Activity will work with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Technical Extension and Agricultural Processing, Provincial and District Agriculture and Forestry Offices, extension workers, and local business development services to equip rural Me with business skills, market linkages, and advocacy ability to exploit these opportunities. The Activity will target at least 8,000 Me, leading to 25% higher revenues and $1.3 million new investments. The Activity's goal is to increase the ability of Me in Lao PDR to