United States - South Africa leader exchange program : mid-term evaluation

business operations. The project is implemented by the United States-South Africa Leader Exchange Program (USSALEP). Interim evaluation covers the period 9/89-3/91. The project is on track. USSALEP has implemented an impartial participant selection process, pre-departure planning has gone smoothly, and the training itself has been well managed by USSALEP and a subcontractor, the Program for International Education and Training. The ten entrepreneurs who have visited the U.S. so far have generally reacted favorably to their experiences. There is evidence that the skills and knowledge they gained, and business contacts they made, will benefit their enterprises back home. Business and Systems Consultants (B&SC), another subcontractor, has already provided legal, accounting, and advisory follow-up support to five returned participants, and has been aggressive in helping entrepreneurs increase production and distribution capacity, generate an export order, and pursue subcontracting proposals and venture capital. Improvements are needed in two areas. First, USSALEP's marketing efforts have not generated sufficient numbers of qualified applicants. The lag in applications, which total only 140 to date, is due in part to the newness of the program and the use of infrequent print and broadcast media to advertise the program. More aggressive marketing measures are needed. Second, the study visits have suffered from inadequate background information about applicants and insufficient lead time to tailor visits to the different needs of each entrepreneur. More detailed background information (e.g., financial, business sector, objectives) would greatly facilitate candidate selection and the planning of visits. It is recommended that $100,000 be added to the second tranche for follow-on activities in the United States, but that continued funding be contingent upon USSALEP's submission to USAID of an acceptable strategic plan that includes benchmarks by which to measure performance.