USAID’s Competitiveness, Trade and Jobs Activity Final Report

The project's primary objective was to facilitate trade and employment in horticulture, tourism, and transport and logistics across the five Central Asian economies. By strengthening the capacity of governments to address policy and institutional impediments and incentivizing firms to address market impediments, the project aimed to develop a more diverse and competitive private sector and generate export-driven growth. The project adopted a sectoral approach, focusing on increasing competitiveness, exports, and employment in horticulture, transport and logistics, and tourism. Additionally, it applied a market systems approach to identify areas where markets and private and public sector stakeholders could be strengthened to ensure sustainable development. A cost-sharing Innovation Facility was established as the central lever to incentivize stakeholders to address market risks. The project's goals aligned with USAID/Central Asia's Development Objective 1, which aimed to expand diverse and competitive trade and markets. The project contributed to the achievement of Intermediate Result 1.1, which sought to develop a more diverse and competitive private sector, and Intermediate Result 1.3, which aimed to harmonize cross-border trade and investment policies. The project's implementation was marked by several notable achievements. In horticulture, the project supported the development of a more competitive private sector, with a focus on increasing exports and employment. In tourism, the project helped to improve the sector's competitiveness, with a focus on developing new products and services. In transport and logistics, the project supported the development of more efficient and reliable transportation systems, with a focus on reducing costs and improving the quality of services. The project also made significant contributions to the development of a more competitive private sector in Central Asia. The project supported the establishment of several business associations and chambers of commerce, which helped to promote the interests of private sector companies and facilitate their participation in regional trade and investment activities. The project also supported the development of several business incubators and accelerators, which provided training and support to entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition to its sectoral focus, the project also made significant contributions to the development of regional trade and investment policies. The project supported the establishment of a regional trade facilitation agreement, which aimed to reduce trade barriers and improve the efficiency of trade procedures. The project also supported the development of several regional trade agreements, which aimed to promote trade and investment between Central Asia and other regions. The project's impact was also evident in the development of a more competitive private sector in Central Asia. The project supported the establishment of several private sector companies, which helped to promote economic growth and development in the region. The project also supported the development of several SMEs, which helped to promote entrepreneurship and job creation in the region. Overall, the Competitiveness, Trade and Jobs activity in Central Asia was a highly successful project that made significant contributions to the development of a more competitive private sector and the promotion of regional trade and investment policies. The project's achievements will have a lasting impact on the economic development of Central Asia and will help to promote economic growth and stability in the region.