Quarterly Report for the USAID Kosovo Private Enterprise Program (KPEP)

The program is divided into four components: Increased Competitiveness of Key Sectors, Business Support Services, Business Enabling Environment, and Workforce Development. The program's main goal is to increase the competitiveness of key sectors in Kosovo, including agriculture, construction, forestry and wood products, information and communication technology, tourism, recycling, fabricated metals and auto parts, and decorative stone. The program focuses on improving the business environment, providing business support services, and developing the workforce. In the quarter ending March 31, 2009, the program made significant progress in all areas. The sector selection report was completed and submitted on schedule, and seven specific activities were completed or underway. The program also started desk research, retained a local research firm, and conducted 200 interviews, 65 reports were analyzed, and 600 companies were surveyed. The program's staff made adjustments to improve operational performance, including the arrival of a new Chief of Party (COP) and the departure of the former COP, who moved into the position of Competitiveness Director for Agriculture and Forestry/Wood Processing. The former Competitiveness Director for the non-Ag/Forestry sectors left the project, and the Workforce Development specialist was not replaced. In the agriculture sector, the program made satisfactory progress in all three objective areas. A dairy market strategy was completed, and a dairy internship program with the University of Pristina is in process. Technical assistance was provided to Bylmeti to develop a store brand yogurt and a dairy technology short course. In the construction sector, progress was made in achieving the twin objectives of improving road design capability and the skills of road construction workers. KPEP prepared SOWs for design and tendering of road construction projects, with a goal of training at least 50 professionals in road design, and implementing a train-the-trainers program to provide sustainability. The program also made progress in the forestry and wood products sector, including the completion of a non-wood forest product inventory and action plan. Plans for penetrating new markets and five other related activities are underway, which will lead to the successful penetration of new markets. Overall, the program made significant progress in the quarter ending March 31, 2009, and is well-positioned to continue its efforts to support the development of private enterprise in Kosovo.