URBAN EMPLOYMENT AND COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

PROJECT CONSISTS OF 3 COMPONENTS: EMPLOYMENT SERVICES AND TRAINING, SHELTER AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT, AND URBAN POLICY AND PLANNING. THE APPRENTICESHIP OFFICE OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOR WILL PLACE 3000 WORKERS IN APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS, AND THE NATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE WILL PROVIDE BASIC AND OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS TRAINING TO 3000 TARGET GROUP WORKERS. AN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE AND OUTREACH PROGRAM IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOR WILL ALSO BE EXPANDED TO ACCOMMODATE 8000 TRAGER GROUP WORKERS. IN ADDITION, A PROGRAM OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, AND CREDIT WILL BE PROVIDED TO SMALL INDUSTRY. UP TO 900 ENTREPRENEURS WILL RECEIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE OFFICE OF SMALL INDUSTRY AND ARTISANRY. UP TO 40 TRAINING COURSS WILL BE CONDUCTED FOR SMALL BUSINESSMEN, AND A SERIES OF BANKING REFORMS WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO INCREASE THE ACCESS OF SMALL BUSINESSMEN TO CREDIT. A GUARANTY FUND WILL ALSO BE CREATED. SHELTER AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT WILL CONSIST OF 4 DIFFERENT SHELTER PROGRAMS DIRECTED AT THE URBAN POOR: SITES AND SERVICES; COMMUNITY UPGRADING, HOME IMPROVEMENT, AND LAND TITLE REGISTRATION. THE FINANCING FOR THESE PROGRAMS WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE HOUSING INVESTMENT GUARANTEE, WITH REPAYMENTS USED TO FINANCE SIMILAR PROJECTS IN OTHER AREAS FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES. STUDIES WILL BE CONDUCTED TO ENHANCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE GOVERNMENT"S PLANNING APPARATUS AS WELL AS IMPROVE THE CONTENT AND DELIVERY OF ASSISTANCE FOR THE POOR. SUBJECTS TO BE STUDIES INCLUDE THE EFFECT OF CURRENT URBAN POLICIES ON THE POOR, AND INSTITUTIONAL CHANGES WHICH COULD IMPROVE THE COORDINATION AND EXECUTION OF PROJECTS. ALSO, 10 PARTICIAPANTS WILL RECEIVE GRADUATE TRAINING IN PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND TOTHER APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINES.