Quarterly Report: Competitiveness Program – 2nd Quarter FY 2012 (January – March 2012)

The Program integrates several objectives, including sustainable environmental governance and management, increased private sector competitiveness, more efficient factor and precursor markets, and increased use of clean energy. The Program builds on prior USAID efforts in Mexico to achieve sustainable reforms by improving transparency, strengthening civil society participation, and promoting accountability. The Program's four governance areas address environmental management, effective economic governance, efficient factor and precursor markets, and clean energy. In the area of environmental management, the Program focuses on strengthening institutional capacity to develop and implement public policies addressing biodiversity, Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+), and climate change. This includes supporting citizen-based evaluation of Mexico's forests and forestry policies, promoting "green" government, and supporting land use planning to protect forests and biodiversity. In the area of effective economic governance, the Program supports the implementation of small and medium enterprise (SME) development programs, disseminates innovation policies, and strengthens the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Economy. The Program also provides technical assistance to the Federal Competition Commission (CFC) and the Federal Judiciary to strengthen competition policy. The Program's focus on efficient factor and precursor markets includes increasing access to capital for productive investment by improving microfinance regulation and strengthening the capacity of microfinance institutions. Additionally, the Program aims to improve the quality and sustainability of urban water service through technical assistance and dissemination of best practices. The Program's clean energy initiatives include promoting sub-national renewable and efficient energy projects, a cross-border market for renewable electricity, and programs for sustainable buildings and housing. The Program also supports the development of a cross-border market for renewable electricity and promotes sustainable buildings and housing. During the second quarter of Program FY2012, January 1 – March 31, 2012, the Program achieved several key milestones. The Program provided technical assistance to the Federal Competition Commission (CFC) and the Federal Judiciary to strengthen competition policy. The Program also supported the implementation of SME development programs and disseminated innovation policies. In the area of environmental management, the Program supported the development of a national strategy for REDD+ and provided technical assistance for REDD+ pilot projects. The Program also supported forest carbon monitoring and provided technical assistance for sustainable value chains in high biodiversity areas. The Program's clean energy initiatives included promoting sub-national renewable and efficient energy projects and supporting the development of a cross-border market for renewable electricity. The Program also promoted sustainable buildings and housing through technical assistance and capacity-building for community members. Overall, the USAID/Mexico Competitiveness Program aims to improve environmental management and promote private sector innovation through governance reforms. The Program's four governance areas address environmental management, effective economic governance, efficient factor and precursor markets, and clean energy. The Program has achieved several key milestones during the second quarter of Program FY2012, including providing technical assistance to the Federal Competition Commission (CFC) and the Federal Judiciary, supporting the implementation of SME development programs, and promoting sustainable value chains in high biodiversity areas. The Program's achievements during the second quarter of Program FY2012 demonstrate its commitment to improving environmental management and promoting private sector innovation through governance reforms. The Program's focus on clean energy and sustainable development will continue to be a key area of focus in the coming quarters.