Quarterly Report Year 1 Quarter 2 (FY2016 Q2)

The initiative, led by Chemonics International Inc., aimed to enhance the competitiveness of Moldovan wine and tourism products on the global market. Technical activities during the second quarter of FY16 focused on upgrading wine quality and better training the workforce in the wine industry. Activity 1 involved upgrading wine quality and better training the workforce, with a focus on improving wine production techniques and increasing the use of technology in the industry. The activity included the establishment of the Stauceni Viticulture and Winemaking Excellence Center (SEC), which provided training and technical assistance to wine producers. Activity 2, Support Development of the Stauceni Viticulture and Winemaking Excellence Center (SEC), aimed to establish the SEC as a center of excellence for wine production and training. The SEC provided training and technical assistance to wine producers, including workshops, seminars, and on-the-job training. The activity also included the development of a wine production manual and the establishment of a wine quality control system. Activity 3, Bring IT to the Wine Industry to Upgrade Productivity and Quality, aimed to introduce information and communication technology (ICT) solutions to the wine industry. The activity included the development of an ICT platform for wine producers to access market information, track their production, and improve their quality control systems. The activity also included the provision of training and technical assistance to wine producers on the use of ICT solutions. In addition to the wine industry activities, the initiative also focused on the light industry, with a focus on developing the ZIPhouse Accelerator and raising skills through education. Activity 1, Develop the ZIPhouse Accelerator and Raise Skills Through Education, aimed to establish the ZIPhouse Accelerator as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship in the light industry. The activity included the provision of training and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the light industry. The initiative also focused on the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, with a focus on adapting university-level ICT education to industry needs. Activity 1, Adapt University-Level ICT Education to Industry Needs, aimed to develop a curriculum for ICT education that was relevant to the needs of the industry. The activity included the provision of training and technical assistance to educators and trainers in the ICT sector. The initiative also included cross-cutting activities to support implementation, including workforce and innovation, sector engagement, enhancement, and development (SEED) fund, local capacity building program, and increasing access to finance through development credit authority activity. The workforce and innovation activity aimed to develop the skills of the Moldovan workforce, particularly in the wine and tourism industries. The SEED fund activity aimed to provide financial support to entrepreneurs and SMEs in the wine and tourism industries. The local capacity building program activity aimed to build the capacity of local organizations and institutions to support the development of the wine and tourism industries. The initiative achieved several quantitative results during the second quarter of FY16, including the establishment of the Stauceni Viticulture and Winemaking Excellence Center (SEC) and the development of an ICT platform for wine producers. The initiative also achieved several qualitative results, including the improvement of wine quality and the increase in the use of technology in the wine industry. The initiative also supported the development of the light industry, including the establishment of the ZIPhouse Accelerator and the provision of training and technical assistance to entrepreneurs and SMEs. The initiative also supported the development of the ICT sector, including the adaptation of university-level ICT education to industry needs and the provision of training and technical assistance to educators and trainers in the ICT sector. The initiative also supported the development of the workforce and innovation, including the development of the skills of the Moldovan workforce, particularly in the wine and tourism industries. The initiative also supported the development of the sector engagement, enhancement, and development (SEED) fund, including the provision of financial support to entrepreneurs and SMEs in the wine and tourism industries. The initiative also supported the development of the local capacity building program, including the building of the capacity of local organizations and institutions to support the development of the wine and tourism industries. The initiative also supported the development of the increasing access to finance through development credit authority activity, including the provision of financial support to entrepreneurs and SMEs in the wine and tourism industries. The initiative also supported the development of the communication, including the provision of information and communication to stakeholders and the public. The initiative planned several activities for the third quarter of FY16, including the continuation of the wine and tourism industry activities, the development of the light industry, and the support of the ICT sector. The initiative also planned to continue the cross-cutting activities, including workforce and innovation, sector engagement, enhancement, and development (SEED) fund, local capacity building program, and increasing access to finance through development credit authority activity.