Small- and Medium-scale Enterprise (SME) Promotion
IMG’s SME Promotion projects include analyzing the business environment in developing countries, analyzing potential and constraining factors of the SME sector and local industry, and planning, implementing and evaluating SME / local industrial policies and strategies.
Data Collection Survey on SME Finance in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan)
(Aug. 2021 - Mar. 2022)
Following their independence from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) in 1991, the Kyrgyz Republic and Republic of Tajikistan have achieved significant economic growth with annual growth rates since 2000 ranging from 6% to 7%. Despite such, most key industries have yet to be fully developed aside from the mining industry in the Kyrgyz Republic and the primary aluminum and cotton industries in Tajikistan. Under contract with JICA, IMG analyzed the current status of agricultural value chains in both countries, as well as challenges in the SME financing sector. Based on the results, IMG recommended support measures that would contribute to expanding financing opportunities for SMEs in both countries, taking into account the implementation capacities of the governments and relevant institutions.
Survey on Infant Nutrition Improvement through Good-hygiene Breastfeeding (SME Partnership Promotion) Data Collection Survey on SME Finance in Pakistan
(Dec. 2017 - Sep. 2018)
Under contract with JICA, IMG surveyed the current status and challenges of SMEs and the financial sector in Pakistan. IMG recommended support measures to improve access to finance for SMEs, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
Data Collection and Analysis on the Women Entrepreneurship Development Project in Ethiopia
(Oct. 2015 - Mar. 2016)
The World Bank launched Women Entrepreneurship Development Project (WEDP) in 2012, which aimed to improve access to finance for women entrepreneurs through microfinance while providing training opportunities to start and run their businesses. The World Bank proposed JICA to co-finance the WEDP with a Yen loan, and IMG was commissioned by JICA to conduct a survey to examine its possibility.
Data Collection and Analysis on Women’s Economic Activities in Myanmar
(Jun. 2016 - Nov. 2019)
Under contract with JICA, IMG conducted a survey to determine the current status of women's economic activities in Myanmar, including employment, entrepreneurship, and management capacities. IMG also identified supports that contribute to their economic empowerment, including financial access improvement and capacity building.
Industrial policy formulation support project focusing on technological innovation and dissemination in Côte d'Ivoire
(Mar. 2015 - Nov. 2017)
In Cote d'Ivoire, a pilot project was implemented by proposing policies for technological innovation and dissemination of small and medium-sized manufacturing industries related to agricultural product processing equipment manufacturing-related technology and machine parts manufacturing-related technology, which are closely related to agro-industry, which is also one of the promising industrial sectors. Did.
Study for Private Sector Development in the Kingdom of Morocco
(Dec. 2013 - Mar. 2014)
The Moroccan economy has been growing steadily in recent years under its government’s economy policy to build a strong industrial sector. By taking advantage of its geographical proximity to Europe and its relatively cheap and skillful labor, Morocco has gradually integrated itself into the European manufacturing supply chain. In order to accelerate its economic growth and reduce the level of unemployment, the Moroccan Government adopted the “National Pact for Emerging Industries (PNEI) 2009-2015”, under which it is implementing various programs to strengthen SMEs, improve vocational training schemes, and enhance business and investment environments. IMG conducted a study on the current situation and issues of the private sector development in Morocco and formulated a JICA’s project concept for the strengthening of the competitiveness of Moroccan SMEs.
Advisory Service for Marketing Strategy for Malawi OVOP Programme
(Jul. - Aug. 2008)
Through the “Institutional and Human Resource Development Project for the One Village One Product Programme (OVOP)” which began in 2005, JICA had worked on promoting technologies for processing agricultural produce, and improving the quality control and marketing functions of small-scale rural businesses. As a part of the project, IMG proposed a management structure which was aimed at providing small-scale businesses with marketing assistance based on the review and analysis of OVOP Groups’ overall marketing activities, including their strengths and weaknesses.
Formulation and Implementation of SME Development Projects in Developing Countries
(From 2006)
The development of export industry and SMEs, as well as the creation of domestic employment, is a pressing issue for most developing countries. Under contract with JICA, IMG analyzed the domestic and international economic backgrounds, business and investment environments, trends of existing industries, and formulated and implemented projects to promote SMEs and exports in Central and South Asian countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan), Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia), and African countries (Tunisia, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, etc.).