USAID/Compete Quarterly Report, April 1 – June 30, 2016

The USAID/Compete Project has supported the development of the agribusiness sector, with a focus on improving market access and market access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Project has also supported the establishment of a sorting line in Kufr Dan to wash, pack, and store baby cucumbers, which has led to the shipment of 200 tons of baby cucumbers to pickling factories. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the grape sub-sector, with over 420 individuals applying to the grape program and 230 new or improved products being introduced. The Project has also brought 2328 hectares of land under new technology in the West Bank and Gaza, and has supported the development of 230 new or improved products. The agribusiness sector has seen significant growth, with over $13.8 million worth of exports in the past two quarters, bringing the total value of agribusiness exports since the start of the Project to $79 million. In the ICT sector, the Palestinian Internship Program is gearing up for its fourth cycle of placing interns within high-tech companies. The USAID/Compete Project is also in the design phase of a Startup Support Initiative, which will provide technical assistance packages to support startup exposure, user acquisition, and branding graphics. The second round of the Export Market Development Program has started, with 7 companies enrolling in the program. The Stone and Marble sector has also seen progress, with USAID/Compete supporting the participation of Palestinian stone and decorative stone companies at the Middle East Trade Show, the Coverings Trade Show in the US, and the Coverings Trade Show in Doha. The Project is working with the Palestinian Wood Industries Union to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the tourism sector, with the establishment of a new tourism development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Center for Restaurants, Hotels and Tourist Services to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the fishing sector, with the establishment of a new fishing development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Fishing Association to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the textile and garment sector, with the establishment of a new textile and garment development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Textile and Garment Association to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the furniture sector, with the establishment of a new furniture development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Furniture Association to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the gender and youth sectors, with the establishment of a new gender and youth development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Women's Union to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the monitor and evaluation sector, with the establishment of a new monitor and evaluation development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Monitor and Evaluation Association to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the communications and outreach sector, with the establishment of a new communications and outreach development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Communications and Outreach Association to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the finance and operations sector, with the establishment of a new finance and operations development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Finance and Operations Association to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the subcontractors and grants sector, with the establishment of a new subcontractors and grants development plan. The Project is also working with the Palestinian Subcontractors and Grants Association to improve the competitiveness of the sector. The Project has also seen progress in supporting the development of the subcontractors and