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USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore (with microphone), joined by U.S. Ambassador Anne Derse (left), champions public-private partnerships to leading AmCham members.Fore Accelerates GDA Momentum in Azerbaijan

Administrator Henrietta H. Fore was keynote speaker at a November 2008 luncheon sponsored by the American Chamber of Commerce in Azerbaijan (AmCham) and USAID partner, Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF)... Read More ...

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Packaging broccoli at 'Tajfun' the largest Polish importer of fresh fruits and vegetables.Macedonian Fresh Produce Importers Learn from Polish Experts

The potential accession of Macedonia to the European Union (EU) creates the need for Macedonian agribusinesses exporters to become more competitive in local and regional markets and better positioned to capitalize on enhanced access to EU markets... Read More ...

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Patricia Rader, USAID/Kosovo Mission Director [left], presents HAACP and Global Gap food quality and safety standards certificates to PESTOVA.Kosovo Companies Increase Production Quality

On October 7, 2008, USAID Mission Director Patricia Rader presented the owner of Kosovo's first potato processing company, PESTOVA, with official Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and GlobalGap international food quality and safety standards certifications... Read More ...

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Foodland's Terra Organica organic, wild strawberry nectar was voted 'Best New Juice Product' by Food News magazine.Serbia’s Foodland Receives 2008 World Juice Innovation Award

At the Barcelona World Juice Summit, Foodland, a Serbian food processing company received the 2008 World Juice Innovation Award for ‘Best New Juice Product'... Read More ...

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A year after opening its doors in September 2007, Albania's National Registration Center (headquarters pictured) has registered 18,000 new businesses and provides online public access to business registration data. This easy, low-cost administrative process has improved Albania's business climate.World Bank Reports Albania Reforms Improved Business Climate

Doing business in Albania is easier and faster, thanks to reforms supported by USAID and funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program... Read More ...

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From left: Ambassador Munter, Kragujevac Veroljub Stevanović and Deputy Prime Minister Dinkić at the certification ceremony for 'Business Friendly' municipalities.Three Serbian Municipalities Earn “Business Friendly” Designation

During a certification ceremony at the end of September 2008, the first three Serbian municipalities to attain Business Friendly designations—Inđija, Kragujevac and Loznica—were announced... Read More ...

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The ten AgBiz grantees were joined by USAID Mission Director, Michael Fritz and AgBiz Program staff at the second grants agreement signing in Macedonia on October 3. The grants provide support for projects which will help bottled wine, fresh vegetable, table grapes and wild gathered product agribusinesses expand their exports.Macedonia Agribusiness Grantees Plan to Expand Export Sales

On October 3, 2008, USAID’s AgBiz Program held its second Grant Agreements Signing Ceremony for Macedonian agribusinesses working in the wine, fresh vegetable, table grapes, and wild gathered product value chains... Read More ...

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Smajo Hadzalic's milk cooling tank helped increase sales.LAMP Achievements Lauded by Satisfied Farmers

When they first contacted USAID’s Linking Agricultural Markets to Producers (LAMP) project in 2005 asking for assistance, farmers from the Cazin-based Krajinamlijeko Cooperative in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) were skeptical... Read More ...

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Actor/Director Ralph Fiennes in Belgrade.Fiennes to Film “Coriolanus” in Serbia

River Road Entertainment will film a modern day version of Shakespeare’s “Coriolanus” in Serbia, directed by Ralph Fiennes who will also portray the legendary Roman leader... Read More ...

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Implementation of HACCP practices will enable Macedonian agribusinesses to be more competitive in regional and global markets.Macedonian Producers Embrace Food Safety Standards

In September 2008, USAID’s AgBiz Program organized a three-day workshop on Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) system implementation, verification and maintenance in Macedonia... Read More ...

Related Items: Macedonia, Business Development, Health

Montenegro's Biogradska Gora offers visitors countless scenic vistas.Montenegro’s Mountains Compete for Tourists

Tourism, one of Montenegro’s fastest growing industries, is a primary contributor to the country’s economic growth. Renowned for its beauty, Montenegro’s coast is the most popular destination for tourists... Read More ...

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Richard Dale (right) with one of the few growers of American blueberries in Serbia, close to Arilje.Expert Advice Promises Higher Yield for Serbian Agribusinesses

For agricultural producers and processors staying abreast of new technologies and market requirements is an essential prerequisite for attracting new buyers and producing value-added products... Read More ...

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An ancient mosaic of Hypnos, the God of Sleep, welcomes visitors to Risan and bids them restful stay. Risan is located within the Region of Kotor, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.USAID Helps Montenegro Preserve Ancient Mosaics

The limestone cliffs of Orjen Mountain tower behind Risan, the oldest settlement in the Bay of Kotor and home to some of Montenegro’s most valuable archaeological finds, including five ancient mosaics housed in a Roman villa dating back to the 2nd and early 3rd century A.D... Read More ...

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U.S. Ambassador Anne Derse and USAID's Yamashita pour first liters of milk to Chakhyrly's new milk storage tank.Community Builds First Local Milk Collection Facility

Soaring summer temperatures could not keep a crowd from participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Nur Sud Milk Collection Point in Chakhyrly (Masally district), Azerbaijan on June 26, 2008... Read More ...

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Serbian film production companies at the Cannes film festival. From left to right: Miroslav Stanić, Cinebox 100; Tijana Konstatinović, International Network; Miroslav Mogorović, Art and Popcorn; Svetozar Cvetković, Testament Films; Lidija Kuručki, Cinebox 100; Ana Ilić, USAID Competitiveness Project; Tihomir Stanić, Blakan film; and, Aleksandra Zorić Krzić, USAID.Serbia Stages its Comeback on the International Film Scene

With support from USAID, three Serbia-based production companies – Art and Popcorn, Testament Films, and Dream Company – participated in the Marche du Film festival and Producers Network conference in Cannes in early 2008... Read More ...

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Working on a new design for rugs at the Avenija Women Business Association.Donor Assistance Nurtures Economic Independence

A small textile factory employing six women from Llaplleselle/Laplje Selo (Pristina municipality) is a small but significant step toward economic independence for women in this small Serb community in Kosovo... Read More ...

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Serbian exhibitors hoped to expand exports and sales in the growing Russian market by making contacts at the International Building and Interiors Exhibition (MosBuild) in Moscow.MosBuild Expected to Generate 1+ Million Euros in Contracts for Serbian Firms

Eight Serbian companies report success from their first-ever participation in the International Building and Interiors Exhibition (MosBuild) in Moscow, one of the largest trade fairs in Russia... Read More ...

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Thomas F. Mefford, USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia (center), pictured with Angelo Canale, Head of Italy's Department of Tourism (left) and Giandomenico Magliano, Director General for Economic Cooperation and Multilateral Finance, Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (right) at the MOU signing in Rome, establishing an international, public-private partnership to energize Southeast Europe's economy through development of its tourism sector.Italy Joins Partnership to Develop Balkan Region

With the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Rome on July 17, Italy joined the U.S. and Greece in an innovative public-private partnership to stimulate sustainable economic growth, energy security... Read More ...

Related Items: Business Development, Energy, Infrastructure, Environment

Serbian agribusinesses say that Novi Sad and other international agricultural fairs offer valuable opportunities to promote their products and expand into new markets.Ag Fair Deals Total 1.5 Million Euros for Serbian Farmers

Thanks to support from USAID agribusiness and economic security projects, 13 Serbian agribusinesses and associations participated in the 75th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad—the largest event of its kind in Southeast Europe... Read More ...

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USAID supports programming, such as this workshop facilitated by expert Wayne Visser on April 30, 2008, to foster local corporate social investment as a means of contributing to Azerbaijan's long-term social and economic development.Social Investment Benefits Business, Accelerates Development

With USAID support, the Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF), in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Export & Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), organized two Corporate Social Investment Program events... Read More ...

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Koryukivka Mayor Ihor Matyukha (standing) speaks at the International Conference on Local Economic Development Toolkits, organized by the USAID LED project, the Kyiv Economic Institute, and Michigan State University on March 3-4, 2008, in Kyiv. Sitting to the right of him is independent consultant Valeriy Kokot, who guided the strategic planning process in Koryukivka on behalf of the LED projectKoryukivka Reaps Benefits of Strategic Public-Private Partnership

A small town of nearly 13,500 residents in Chernihiv Oblast, Koryukivka is home to the Koryukivka Technical Paper Factory, a public corporation that claims to be Europe's largest wallpaper manufacturer... Read More ...

Related Items: Ukraine, Business Development, Infrastructure

At the nursery, Adminstrator Fore is shown the process of seedlings growth by Luan Buqaj, the owner of Las Pallmas.Cost-Share Grants Nurture Economic Growth, One Business at a Time

A nursery's expansion into vegetable seedlings, a wood processor's new plant and successful products in other business sectors were showcased on May 17, 2008 during USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore’s visit to Kosovo... Read More ...

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Ivan Turanov, owner of Turan Winery in Macedonia, examines new South African table grapes during a recent exchange through the USAID Agribusiness Project.Exchange Provides Seeds for Innovation in Table Grape Industry

With financial and technical support from the USAID Agribusiness Project, representatives of Macedonia’s five leading table grape businesses visited Cape Town, South Africa to learn from the owners of the best table grape vineyards in the world... Read More ...

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Rolf Anderson, Director of USAID/Armenia's Economic Growth Office, highlighted the importance of advancing Armenia's tourism industry as a means of spurring economic growth during his remarks at the Second Armenian Tourism Competitiveness Conference on May 6, 2008.Armenia Strives to Build International Tourism

On May 6, 2008, USAID’s Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) project, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Armenia, the Armenian Tourism Development Agency, and the country’s five major industry associations... Read More ...

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Beneficiary of a USAID portable guaranateeGeorgia’s SMEs Grow with Increased Access to Financing

“We welcome all of those on holiday to relax and enjoy the atmosphere of Bakuriani at our guesthouse,” says Manana Janidze, greeting a visitor at the entrance of the newly upgraded and renovated Hotel X... Read More ...

Related Items: Georgia, Business Development

The renovation of the Kutaisi branch of the National Bank of Georgia is just one of the ongoing projects implemented by Tegika Universal Ltd.Consulting Support Yields Fast Growth for Construction Firm

Today, Tegika Universal, Ltd. is one of the most successful construction companies in Kutaisi, Georgia. Just a year ago, however, it had faced its share of challenges... Read More ...

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Adjara's warm and humid subtropical climate enables local raspberry farmers, like Beglar Mikeladze, to achieve robust harvests twice a year.Small Business Services Help Launch Raspberry Farm

Musician Beglar Mikeladze didn’t set out to build a business when he planted his first raspberry plants in Adlia, Georgia. “At first I started to grow raspberries just to meet some family needs... Read More ...

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USAID's Taylor provided an overview of the Agency's efforts to increase economic growth and to strengthen Azerbaijan's policy enabling environmentAzerbaijan Rural Enterprise Program Holds Promise of Sustainability

USAID’s Rural Enterprise Competitiveness (RECP) team presented its final results at a reception hosted by the Pragma Corporation on April 7, 2008. USAID Country Coordinator for Azerbaijan Scott Taylor led the presentation... Read More ...

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The GTG had an incredibly successful market, selling over $12,000 in retail sales and receiving $3,000 worth of wholesale orders from prominent retail stores in the United States, including the world-renowned Chicago Field MuseumExpanding International Markets for Georgian Artisans

Last summer, the Georgia Textile Group (GTG) participated in the 4th Annual Santa Fe International Folk Art Market with support from the Crafts Center at the USAID–funded Georgia Employment and Infrastructure Initiative (GEII) and the Ramsay Merriam Fund... Read More ...

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More than 800 visitors tasted Georgian food and learned about Guria's tourism potentialGuria Farmers Establish Links with Lithuanian Businesses

USAID works with farmers and farming communities throughout Georgia to identify alternative export markets and establish business-to-business linkages... Read More ...

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Tea plantations in Guria rehabilitated through USAID assistance have helped local farmers move beyond subsistence farmingGeorgian Farmers Combine Efforts to Generate Viable Incomes

“In strength there is unity.” Koba Tsertsvadze, a 41-year-old farmer from the village of Tkhinvali in Guria addressed visitors with these words as he and other farmers fenced plots of land on a tea plantation in his village... Read More ...

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USAID Mission Director Jane Nandy prepares to don headphones to listen to a description of the sites depicted inside the tourism wheelBiH Tourism Exhibit Wows Visitors at World Fair

When visitors to the world’s largest tourism fair arrived at the booth for Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH), they didn’t find just the standard photos and brochures. Instead, they were invited to take a stroll across the country... Read More ...

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Ruslan Svirsky, InvestInRivne Deputy Director and one of the first graduates of the LED project's training program for FDI professionalsWillingness to Pay for Development Signals Sustainability

Sustainability is the ultimate goal of any technical assistance project. There are various criteria to determine whether a project has been able to survive without USAID or other donor funding... Read More ...

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Gogi Gogitidze stands in front of his renovated hotel and the new summer garden bar which he opened after his professional exchangeExchange Provides Hotelier with Knowledge to Expand

Gogi Gogitidze, the owner of a small hotel in the seaside town of Kobuleti, Georgia credits USAID’s Community Connections (CC) Exchange Program with increasing the scope of his business... Read More ...

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Fashion Marketing Solutions LLC is the founder of the Armenian Fashion Council and the organizer of 'Pret a Porter Yerevan' – the only seasonal fashion show event in the country aimed at fostering the burgeoning fashion industry in ArmeniaProject Helps Over 500 Armenian SMEs Generate Jobs, Sales

On December 3, 2007, the USAID Armenia Agribusiness Small and Medium Enterprise Market Development Project (ASME) hosted an open house event in Yerevan to celebrate the project’s seventh anniversary... Read More ...

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Xhevit Hysenaj (right), owner of Xherdo Herbs and Spice Co. met with French businessmen at this year's IFEAT conference in Budapest. Based on such meetings, Xherdo signed eight contracts worth more than €500,000, with prospects for moreQuality Products Open New Markets for Albanian Herb Exporters

Business could not be better for Albanian businessman Xhevit Hysenaj, owner of the Xherdo Herb and Spice Essences Company, based in Skrapar... Read More ...

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Around 6,000 people visited 'DigiTec 2007' to learn about the latest innovations of local and international companies in the IT industryCompetitveness Project Builds Armenia’s IT Sector

Through its Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Program, USAID has been fostering the development of the Information Technology (IT) cluster in Armenia by assisting businesses with improving the quality and productivity of their output... Read More ...

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The speakers made comments on the program's tangible results, significance of collaboration of all stakeholders, and the importance for the economic development of the country.Successful Rural Business Development Project Draws to Close

On October 31, 2007, USAID hosted a reception in Baku to mark the culmination of its Azerbaijan Business Assistance (ABAD) program, which focused on supporting the growth of rural economic development in targeted regions of Azerbaijan... Read More ...

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Workers at the 'Optimal' cannery in Lenkoran, southern economic corridor. The increase in supply of raw materials results in prolonging the seasonal operational period for canneries.ABAD Facilitates Stable Supply Chain Linkages through its Work with Canneries

USAID’s Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development (ABAD) program has worked with a number of canneries throughout Azerbaijan to improve the efficiency of the supply chain... Read More ...

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Kyrgyzstan's Prime Minister Almaz Atambayev supported the new provisionsKey Inspections Law Provisions Receive Green Light

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic on October 18, 2007 approved the Provision on Realization of the Law “On Procedure for Conducting Inspections of Businesses,” developed with USAID support... Read More ...

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Pharmacies are among the thousands of businesses that will benefit from the changes in the 'Law On Government Procurements'Reforms Save Kazakhstani Business More than $130M

Changes in Kazakhstan’s “Law On Government Procurement,” introduced with assistance from the USAID Business Environment Improvement Project (BEI), will produce millions of dollars in savings for local businesses... Read More ...

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Georgia showcased its products at a thriving specialty food marketplace - the 53rd Annual Fancy Food Show in New YorkGeorgian Delicacies Debut at 2007 Fancy Food Show

Until now, American consumers may have known little about Georgia, and less about the country’s foods and wines. Yet Georgian exporters are hopeful that the U.S. market—where consumers are interested in exploring new products... Read More ...

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Vlade Divac with NBA friends Chris Webber and Scott Pollard at the opening of the basketball museum in Prijepolje, to which he donated his trophies and memories from his 16-year basketball careerUSAID, Divac Teams Up To Promote Town’s Investment Potential

Vlade Divac officially retired from professional basketball in a celebration the size of which the 15,000 residents of his hometown of Prijepolje had never seen. For one day, the population of Prijepolje doubled with a star-studded list of celebrities... Read More ...

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Red CurrantsBusiness Development Has No Ethnic Boundaries in Kosovo

A freezing and cold storage facility was officially opened by Tina Kaidanow, U.S. Office in Pristina Chief of Mission, and Stanko Jokovljevic, Mayor of Shtrpce/Strpce, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19, 2007... Read More ...

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Mohamed Foda, Senior Adviser to Egypt's Minister of Transport, Gary Linden, Country Program Officer for USAID/Moldova, and Samir Ghareeb, Under Secretary for Egypt's Ministry Office Affairs, Ministry of Local Development discussed the proceedings of the study tour to MoldovaEgyptian Reformers Learn from Moldova's Success

Fifteen Egyptian government officials, representing eight different ministries, visited Moldova on a study tour to learn about the success of its “guillotine approach” to reform that was led by the USAID BIZPRO Project... Read More ...

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Assistance increased farm incomes and showed how veterinary services can improve farm productivityTajik Dairy Farms Improve Productivity

The 500 dairy farmers who have received loans and technical assistance from the USAID AgFin+ project implemented by DAI have significantly increased their productivity and ability to compete with the milk processing companies of Central Asia... Read More ...

Related Items: Tajikistan, Business Development

Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev (on the left) and Business Environment Improvement Project Consultant Ulan RyskeldievKyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Awards USAID Project

Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Almazbek Atambaev presented an honorary award to the USAID Business Environment Improvement Project on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade... Read More ...

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USAID Assistant Administrator Menarchik toured a meat processing plant that had benefited directly as a result of USAID supportUSAID Assistance Supports Growth of Albanian Businesses

On October 6, 2007, Dr. Douglas Menarchik, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia visited the TONA CO. Meat Processing in Korca, Albania and met with the owner, Nikolla Tona... Read More ...

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Journalists from the Czech Republic taste Moldova's winesMoldovan Wines Make a Splash on the International Scene

Moldova, a country blessed with rich soil, good climate and located at the same latitude as the most famous wine regions in France, remains virtually unknown internationally for its wines... Read More ...

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USAID Assistant Administrator Menarchik offered encouragement and practical advice to Albanian farmers at the kick-off event$10M USAID Program to Improve Farmers’ Competitiveness

On October 5, 2007 USAID launched the new five-year, $10 million Albanian Agriculture Competitiveness (AAC) Program in Korca, where one of the program’s regional offices will be located... Read More ...

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Many Russian officials, including the Vyazemsky mayor and Khabarovsky Kray development ministers, attended the symposiumRemote U.S., Russian Cities Linked for Economic Progress

The USAID-funded CityLinks Alaska-Russian Far East (RFE) Partnership held a best practices symposium August 3–5, 2007 in Vladivostok to mark the culmination of the two-year program... Read More ...

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Badraddin (center, kneeling) admires his new queen cell frame, constructed with assistance from USAID's Farmer-to-Farmer projectTraining Helps Beekeeper Succeed, Plan to Breed

Beekeeping in Azerbaijan dates back to historic times. Despite long years of involvement in this particular area of agriculture, modern-day beekeeping is beset by obstacles that slow the development of this potential sector... Read More ...

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Macedonia's Finance Minister, Trajko Slaveki, and U.S. Ambassador to Moldova, Gillian Milovanovic, at the signing ceremony for a partnership agreement for the implementation of two DCA Loan Portfolio GuaraneesU.S. Introduces $20M Guarantee Program for Macedonia’s SMEs

For the first time, USAID has introduced two Development Credit Authority (DCA) Loan Portfolio Guarantees totalling US$20 million to support the expansion of small and medium enterprises (SME), energy efficiency... Read More ...

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The summer drought has ravaged the landscape, where sunflowers are typically in full yellow bloom this time of yearUSAID Provides Drought Relief for Moldova’s Farmers

Drought-stricken farmers across Moldova received critically needed seeds for fall planting as part of immediate USAID assistance valued at $350,000 to help alleviate the consequences of this summer’s drought on small-scale growers... Read More ...

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Birlant looks after a satisfied customer in her salon in Urus-Martan, Chechnya. Using the practical skills she learnt on a vocational training course, run by IRC and its local partner, supported by USAID, Birlant is now able to support her family of seven.Vocational Training Opens Doors for Chechen Entrepreneur

In Chechnya they say “Every man wants to receive food from a beautiful hand” – and so the logic follows that a good manicurist will always have work... Read More ...

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'USAID's help in efficient workflow organization allowed us to fill our first significant order,' says Moldovan designer and entrepreneur Georgeta IeahiaMoldovan Fashion Maven Takes On Milan

Georgeta Ieahia grew up wanting to be a clothing designer. At age 17, she had her first client. Encouraged by her early success, Georgeta left her native Moldova to attend the London College of Fashion... Read More ...

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Rajab Orujov, a representative of the Sugar Production Union, talked with farmers about proper sugar beet cultivationAdditional Support to Strengthen Supply Chain Linkages

On July 12 the USAID-supported Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development Program (ABAD) organized another Proper Sugar Beet Cultivation workshop, as part of continuing collaboration with the Azerbaijan Sugar Production Union... Read More ...

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The opening of two new cheese plants marks the industrialization of cheese production in Georgia and gives hope to farmers in the Javakheti regionGeorgia Celebrates Start of Industrial Cheese Production

The opening of two modern cheese plants in the adjacent villages of Orlovka and Spasovka on June 21 turned into a real celebration for farmers in Georgia’s Javakheti region. For them, the event not only marks the first successful attempt... Read More ...

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USAID's AgVANTAGE project assists farmers throughout Georgia to increase their yields and take advantage of market opportunities for new varieties and off-season vegetables.Georgian Vegetable Growers Cultivate Profits

David Ebanoidze estimates his income has grown by about 60 percent since he first met with the USAID-supported AgVANTAGE project. With assistance from AgVANTAGE, his farm near the town of Marneuli has undergone radical changes... Read More ...

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Univerzal Promet leveraged a watermelon glut and specialized business assistance from USAID to break in to the U.K. marketBumper Crop, USAID Support Gives Exporter Entrée To U.K. Market

Dragi Stojmirovski has never seen so many watermelons—it has been a bumper year for the crop in the Balkans. Unfortunately, the resulting glut has led to plummeting melon prices and fruit lays rotting in their fields... Read More ...

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Saglyk community members shared photos and stories with Assistant Secretary Feigenbaum during his visitSenior U.S. Official Visits Turkmenistan Model Community

In June, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Evan A. Feigenbaum met with the USAID-supported community of Saglyk, in the Ahal Region, as part of a four-day official visit to Turkmenistan... Read More ...

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The TBC bank call center that Community Connection alumna Nino Gachechiladze createdInternship Leads to Better Service in Georgia’s Banking Sector

Clients of TBC Bank in Georgia now have better access to information thanks to Nino Gachechiladze’s participation in the USAID’s Community Connections (CC) Business program... Read More ...

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Menarchik meets village elder at historic millUSAID Helps Serbian Community Achieve Economic Growth

While on a visit to USAID missions in the Balkans, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Dr. Douglas Menarchik officially opened a reconstructed bridge and road project in the municipality of Arilje, in western Serbia... Read More ...

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Douglas Menarchik (right) and Dumitru Vicol, Monicol Fruit Drying Facility Director, discussing the capacities of the company's packing lineEconomic Growth Key Theme of Menarchik's Moldova Visit

In May 2007, USAID Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia Dr. Douglas Menarchik traveled to Moldova as part of his visit to the region. While in Chisinau, Menarchik met with high-ranking Moldovan officials... Read More ...

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Sorting through freshly-picked mushrooms at KlekaFamily Business Lauded as Serbia’s Micro-Enterprise of the Year

The idyllic scenery surrounding the river Pčinja where the town of Trgovište is situated provides far more than just beautiful views. The Stošić family has long known that the plants of the forest yield many sought-after natural products... Read More ...

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AgVANTAGE stakeholder planting blueberries in his newly established berry orchardGeorgia Finds Alternate Use for Abandoned Tea Land

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia inherited over 62,000 hectares of unused tea land, the majority of which remains abandoned and overgrown... Read More ...

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Within six months of implementing a new marketing plan, Safari was able to double its number of employeesMarketing Tools Are Company’s Best Friend

When establishing the new company Safari to produce cardboard packaging, Executive Director Nadir Huseynov did not expect to have trouble identifying buyers. In fact, there were a number of reasons that he anticipated a viable long term future... Read More ...

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Demonstration of the equipment in the fieldFarmers, Machinery Producers Learn About Quality Equipment

On June 7, Jayil Farm in Alekseevka village became the stage for Kyrgyzstan’s first outdoor agricultural equipment show. The initiative was organized by the USAID-funded Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project... Read More ...

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Since 2004, USAID has helped Vrnjacka Banja spa managers and tourism officials to plan the spa's development, which has led to increased revenues from foreign visitorsChanging Market Poses Challenge for Top Resort

Since Roman troops pitched their tents here in the first century, the hot springs of Vrnjačka Banja have attracted generations of road-weary travelers. By modern times, Vrnjačka Banja had become one of Serbia’s best known spas... Read More ...

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An Uzbek farmer irrigates his cropsUzbek Farmers Learn New Water Management Techniques

Recently, farmers from various water user associations in Bukhara and Samarkand regions spent three weeks learning about water management and farming at the University of Alabama – Huntsville... Read More ...

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Sugar beet farmers increase their knowledge at the workshopSugar Beets Hold Promise for Azerbaijan’s Remote Villages

In June 2007, USAID’s Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development (ABAD) program, in collaboration with the Azerbaijan Sugar Production Union, a branch of Azersun Holding, organized a workshop for farmers on sugar beet cultivation... Read More ...

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Crochet ArtisanArtisans Create International Demand for Macedonian Handicrafts

Spasika Tasevska has been an inspiration and a driving force for a group of 240 women and 34 teenagers from the town of Krusevo in her endeavor to turn her ideas, enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit into projects... Read More ...

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Mammadov and colleagues participate in the Des Moines, IA trainingExchange Cultivates Farmer’s Interest in Organic Produce

Shohrat Mammadov, Director of Shabran LTD, gained a larger market share by expanding his business to meet a growing demand for organic produce in Azerbaijan. The idea came about as a result of Mammadov’s experience... Read More ...

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Former Chicago Bulls player Dragan Tarlac (hands in air) joined USAID in supporting Ridica residents boost agricultural productivityInternational Basketball Star, USAID Team Up to Help Village

Residents of Riđica decided almost two years ago to take their destiny into their own hands and improve their economic lot through advanced agricultural production... Read More ...

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USAID LogoU.S. – Central Asia Education Foundation Launched

In June 2007, the U.S.-Central Asia Education Foundation announced commencement of operations and the establishment of programs to support business and economics education in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan... Read More ...

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Victoria Timaeva and Alexander Zadorozhny of iTeg Company hope to double the current 3,000-5,000 website visits by early 2008E-commerce Find Its Place in Central Asia

Over 900 trade deals valued at more than $126 million have been facilitated through a trade portal, started by a UASID project in 2002. The portal www.smetradecenter.net was launched through the USAID Enterprise Development Project... Read More ...

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British tour operators visit Franciscan Monastery and Humac Museum in LjubuskiBritish Tour Agents Captivated by Bosnia-Herzegovina

"I am fascinated with what I have seen and tried while I was here. My agency will do our best to include your country in our tourist offer," exclaimed UK tourist agent Allison White during her first visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH)... Read More ...

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While participating in the Azerbaijan Agribusiness Ceneter (AAC) booth at the 2006 Interfood Kiev Trade Fair, fruit and vegetable processor found cheaper suppliers for necessary inputsAgribusiness Center Helps Company Boost Production, Sales

One of Azerbaijan’s leading fruits and vegetable processing companies turned to the USAID-supported Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center over two years ago for help... Read More ...

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USAID's project supported the participation of Kazakhstani representatives at GEM pre-survey briefings in LondonKazakhstan Participates in the First GEM Study in Central Asia

This year Kazakhstan joins over 40 middle- and high-income countries worldwide as a site of the prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) survey of entrepreneurial activity... Read More ...

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Group discussions during the Business Forum in GubaForum Raises Development Questions for Northern Azerbaijan

USAID’s Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development Program (ABAD), in cooperation with the local department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Economic Development, organized a business forum... Read More ...

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The competitiveness conference was opened by Prime Minister Karim MassimovGov’t, Business Leaders Seek to Improve Kazakhstan’s Competitiveness

In April 2007, USAID’s Regional Competitiveness Initiative and its Kazakhstan Small Business Development Project jointly organized an Economic Growth and Competitiveness Forum to generate discussion among government and business representatives... Read More ...

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Middle left to right: Steve Morin, USAID Deputy Country Coordinator for Azerbaijan, Donald Lu, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission and Mahmud MamedGuliyev, Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister, make opening discuss prospects for the WTO accession processU.S. Supports Azerbaijan’s WTO Accession Process

USAID hosted a reception in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development and Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan to raise public awareness of the importance of World Trade Organization (WTO) accession... Read More ...

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Alosav Mammadov, Jalilabad MC Business Advisor (left), responds to a farmer's query at the Hasilli Community Day eventHasilli Farm Representatives Share Experience with Other Farmers

The USAID-funded Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development Program (ABAD), in cooperation with the executive committee of the local agricultural department, organized a Community Day at Hasilli Farm in Jalilabad... Read More ...

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Elshan Rustamov, Shabrab-D enterprise representative provides information to visitors at the Baku Food Industry ExhibitionEntrepreneurs Promote Goods at Baku Food Industry Exhibition

From May 23–25, program staff and four clients from the USAID-funded Azerbaijan Business Assistance and Development Program (ABAD) attended the Food Industry Exhibition in Baku to share program information... Read More ...

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One of the 30,000 borrowers of the Micro and Small Enterprise Finance Facility ProgramMicrofinance Program Disbursements Hits $200 Million Mark

The Micro and Small Enterprise Finance Facility Program was established in Kyrgyzstan in 2002 by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development with support from USAID and other international organizations... Read More ...

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Local entrepreneurs decided to rehabilitate an old mini-cheese factory in their Georgian communityMini-Cheese Factory Becomes A Model Enterprise

Patara Khanchali is a small, mountainous village in the district of Ninotsminda, Samtskhe-Javakheti region, situated on the bank of Lake Khanchali. Cattle breeding and potato growing comprise the main agricultural activities undertaken by the community residents... Read More ...

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Georgia's first premium green tea processing mini-factory was opened in Ternali village in the Imereti regionPremium Green Tea to Debut in Georgia, Export Markets

Due to Georgia’s subtropical climate, local tea has a special taste and characteristics. During the Soviet period, tea was one of the major crops grown in the Imereti region and large quantities were exported to the Soviet Union... Read More ...

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USAID volunteers present 6 e-BIZ centers to the US Ambassador to MacedoniaMacedonian Entrepreneurs Create 1,000 New Jobs

Over 1,000 new jobs and an estimated $15 million in additional exports are the result of a USAID-supported project in Macedonia. Six new companies—called “e-BIZ centers”—which provide high tech services... Read More ...

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Entrepreneur Humay Mammadova wants to help Azerbaijan preserve its cultural and heritage while creating economic opportunitiesAzerbaijani Communities Host National War College Delegation

In April 2007, Zardabi communities in Guba district, northern Azerbaijan hosted a delegation from the National War College, a prestigious leadership training program for American military and civilian leaders... Read More ...

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With technical recommendations and assistance from the Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) Company sold 120,000 jars of pickles for $82,379USAID Specialists Nurture Growth of Rural Businesses

Through USAID’s Rural Enterprise Competitiveness project, a team from the Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) has worked to help a local fruit and vegetable processor become more modern and efficient, and to increase sales... Read More ...

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AAC has been helping its client address key deficiencies to meet the demands of a growing marketProduct Marketing Helps Furniture Maker Generate Capital for Growth

In 2004, the current owner purchased the land with the intention of returning it to its former purpose. He made some repairs and installed some equipment and the company began making chairs, tables and beds... Read More ...

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Members of the Ilkinjiler Farmers' Association met with USAID representatives to discuss the draft lawsUSAID-Supported Organization Takes Lead in Agricultural Law Public Discussions

Following the presidential elections in February, Turkmenistan’s new government announced plans for agricultural sector reforms and legal initiatives. In response, the USAID-supported Ilkinjiler Farmers’ Association immediately convened... Read More ...

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Member of Parliament Omurbek Babanov was an active sponsor of the lawNew Law on Business Inspections to Empower Entrepreneurs

On March 27, the Kyrgyz Parliament approved the Law on Inspections of Businesses, marking an important improvement for the Kyrgyz business community. This law, drafted by the USAID Commercial Law Project... Read More ...

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More than 500 organizations will benefit from the elimination of unnecessary certificationKazakhstan Simplifies Travel Service Certification

The Kazakhstan Tourism Association, with support from two USAID projects, persuaded the lawmakers to cancel the mandatory certification of services related to booking and selling tickets for passenger and cargo air transportation... Read More ...

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USAID's Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center helped this struggling wild fruit juice producer gain exposure to international markets and win lucrative accountsRural Juice Maker Boosts Exports

USAID’s Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) Specialist Mirnail Mirsalahov was recently contacted by a rural beverage producer for help with entering the international health juice market... Read More ...

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Azerbaijani engineers mounted 30 concrete blocks to extend the electrical line more than 2 kilometersElectricity Quadruples Sales for Local Flour Mill

Ilyas Jafarov, owner of the only flour mill in the Jafarhanli village of Jalilabad, Azerbaijan, has provided three primary services to surrounding farmers for nearly a decade: flour milling, wheat and barley seed cleaning, and mixed feed production... Read More ...

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Fuad Agazadeh, AAC Account Manager (on the left) and Jeff Neville, AAC Labeling Specialist (on the right) meet with the company managementExpert Advice Yields Big Profits for Tomato Processor

By sharing technical and marketing expertise, USAID’s Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) has helped scores of rural producers and processors dramatically increase their sales. This is one story... Read More ...

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Ten participants of a USAID-funded study tour registered a professional associationStudy Tour Jumpstarts Kyrgyz Craftsmen Association

Upon return from their USAID-sponsored Community Connections study tour in the U.S., 10 female artisans organized an association of craftsmen of Naryn and Issykkul Oblasts, which they named “NAISK – Ohio” in honor of their site visit... Read More ...

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Experts discuss how Azerbaijan can most efficiently manage its oil revenuesRoundtable on Oil Revenues and State Expenditures

On April 5, the Eurasia Foundation and the Entrepreneurship Development Foundation held a one-day, USAID-supported roundtable on “Oil Revenues and State Expenditures” to examine transparency and efficiency... Read More ...

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USAID Acting Country Representative Ken McNamara and the Osh Governor opened an artificial insemination center in Osh OblastVeterinarian Network Improves Cattle-Breeding in Southern Kyrgyzstan

On January 31, USAID, Mercy Corps, and local government representatives opened the Veterinary Service and Artificial Insemination Center in Nookat, Osh Oblast... Read More ...

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Mr. Josip Selej, owner and general manager of Limex d.o.o. receives a city award from Donji Miholjac Mayor Eduard SrajerDonji Miholjac Experiences Economic Revival

In Donji Miholjac, a mid-sized town located along the Hungarian border in eastern Croatia, high unemployment and a poor business climate depressed incomes for many years... Read More ...

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Azerbaijani farmers were impressed by their counterparts' method of growing strawberries on suspended beds as a means to increase marketable yieldAzerbaijan Imports Irrigations Innovations from Israel

Twenty-three Azerbaijani nationals traveled to Israel March 4-18 to participate in a USAID-funded course, “Irrigation Systems for Intensive Crop Production,” delivered in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs... Read More ...

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The USAID-funded WUASP project increased farmers' harvestsWater Program Increases Farmer Profits by $1M

Tajik farmers participating in the USAID-funded Water User Association Support Project (WUASP) increased their profitability by an estimated $1 million from their 6,300 hectares of irrigated farm land in 2006... Read More ...

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Technical recommendations from USAID's Rural Enterprises Competitiveness project helped this cannery to increase its sales by processing new products and producing 400,000 jars of canned vegetables and 180,000 bottles of lemonadeUSAID Supports a Azerbaijani Processor to Expand Product Line

In its first year of operation, a fruit and vegetable company processed 400 tons of pickled cucumber and purchased 50 tons of aseptic tomato paste from a large canning factory in the area for repackaging into 720 gram jars... Read More ...

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USAID expertise helped this jam maker focus its operations and attract major buyers, which have resulted in a dramatic sales increaseBroad Exposure Yields Big Sales for Small Azerbaijani Jam Maker

A small jam maker and hazelnut processor in northwest Azerbaijan first approached USAID for help in building its business back in 2004. The company relied on manual production carried out by just 25 employees... Read More ...

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Republika Srpska Enacts Business-Friendly Reforms

Starting a business in Republika Srpska (RS) now takes far less time than it used to thanks to the efforts of USAID’s Streamlining Permits and Inspection Regimes Activity (SPIRA)... Read More ...

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Mr. Ndreke Kimca, (left), owner of Meat Master in Shkodra, receives certification for quality management from a representative of 'Certiquality,' an Italian certification body for EU standards. Meat Master transformed their business operations and management structures with the help of USAID's EDEM projectAlbanian Processor Finds Recipe for Success

Eight years ago, the four Kimça brothers, operated a small meat grinding and sausage making business in the northern Albanian city of Shkodra. Today, their business, Meat Master, is one of Albania’s leading meat processing companies... Read More ...

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American apple expert Paul Vossen demonstrates modern pruning methods to Georgian and Ossetian farmers in an orchard near the Georgia-South Ossetia conflict zonePeace Building in an Apple Orchard

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Georgia has experienced two ethnic conflicts over territory. Both have been “frozen” for over a decade and remain unresolved. In the case of the Georgian-South Ossetian conflict, which was fought from 1991-1992... Read More ...

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Thanks to USAID's Rural Enterprises Competitiveness Project, this leading Azerbaijani furniture maker has recently invested $250,000 with a supplier discovered at a trade fair for raw materials to produce cupboards, dining room sets and other fine home furnishingsUSAID Helps Furniture Maker Market Product, Find Suppliers

Since beginning operations in 1999, a modern furniture maker in Bilesuvar, central Azerbaijan, has been specializing in the manufacture of furniture that comply with European standards and tastes... Read More ...

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The employees working with Baykal bread producing company bake bread in the new ovens thanks to the American peopleLocal Bread Producer Sees Sales Rise

In recent years, a small bread producer in Goranboy, central Azerbaijan, has lost market share because of its inability to keep pace with the changing preferences of consumers... Read More ...

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The Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center was instrumental in helping its client to secure new business needed to support year-round operationsUSAID Helps Sunflower Processor Boost Sales, Expand Operations

USAID’s Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center (AAC) Account Manager Elvin Agayev began working a small, rural-based processor of sunflower products – oil, cakes, and seeds – in December 2005... Read More ...

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Gulshan Aliyeva USAID Community Connections Handicraft Production and Marketing exchange participant exhibits Azerbaijani handicrafts at fair in Kansas CityAlumnae Use Handicraft Businesses to Help Others Succeed

In December, USAID Community Connections Handicraft Production and Marketing Exchange alumnae Humaya Mammadova and Gulshan Aliyeva opened two new workshops in Quba (north) and Fuzuli (central Azerbaijan)... Read More ...

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USAID's project facilitated Kazakhstan's participation in the international GEM meeting for the 2007 survey in LondonKazakhstan Joins Global Entrepreneurship Monitoring Consortium

With support from USAID’s Kazakhstan Small Business Development (KSBD) project, in January 2007, the Innovative Eurasia University of Pavlodar was selected to perform a complete Global Entrepreneuship Monitoring (GEM)... Read More ...

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President Mikheil Saakashvili opened greens modern consolidation/pack housesSaakashvili Says Greens Packaging Is Georgia’s Business Card

Fresh herbs are one of the major export crops grown in Western Georgia, and constitute the primary source of income for some 7,000 families. Prior to the Russian Embargo on Georgian agricultural products... Read More ...

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The Svitlovodsk SKLO delegation returned from the 2006 Tendence Lifestyle Trade Fair with $1 million in new ordersTargeted Strategy Leads to Sparkling Success

Ukraine’s glass industry may be on the verge of a dynamic new chapter in its development if the results achieved by one major glass producer at a recent European trade fair are any indication... Read More ...

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The Azerbaijan Agro-business Center (AAC) helped this local beverage producer increase sales by improving the quality of its product and finding new wholesalersAgro-Business Center Helps Beverage Producer Boost Sales

A local beverage producer which had achieved limited success across Azerbaijan turned to the USAID-funded Azerbaijan Agro-Business Center (AAC) for help in penetrating Ganja, the second largest market in the country... Read More ...

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'We didn't start this radio station just to play music,' says Amna Popovac, Director of Radio Studio 88, MostarRadio Station Bridges Ethnic Divide

In 1997, Amna Popovac was having coffee with some journalist friends in Mostar, a city divided between Catholic Croats in the west and Muslim Bosniaks in the east... Read More ...

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Petro Fedyna, head of 'Agrodvir', a farmers cooperative in Lviv Oblast, and an AMP clientAnnual Conference Bears Fruit for Farmers

The 3rd Annual Fruits and Vegetables Conference and Exhibition, sponsored by USAID’s Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP), was held in Kyiv on December 5-6... Read More ...

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With its six profit centers, new job descriptions and designated reporting relationships, Mediacentar Sarajevo program director Tarik Jusic says the 11-year-old media support organization is more streamlined, efficient, and robust than before: 'Now it's clear who does what.'Securing the Future of Media Support

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) after a devastating ethnic conflict ended in 1995. Since then, stability has gradually returned, and donors are turning their attention to other regions in need... Read More ...

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WUAAP specialists discuss the advantages of various crops during the field demonstrationKazakhstan’s Farmers Diversify Crops, Increase Profit

In 2006, farmers who received support from USAID’s Water Users Associations Assistance Program (WUAAP) achieved increased productivity at a level three times greater than the national average... Read More ...

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Sevinj still makes time to see clients now that she manages the salonGroomed for Success

Confidence breeds success and, in turn, can help a business thrive. Sevinj Aliyeva, owner of a beauty salon in Gazakh, a small town in north-western Azerbaijan, knows this firsthand... Read More ...

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Aside from the weather, trade fair in Shimkent was a successKazakh Regional Agriculture Trade Show a Big Hit

USAID’s Water Users Associations Assistance Program (WUAAP), in partnership with SodBi Business Incubator and the Southern Kazakhstan Regional Government, held an agricultural trade show in the regional capital – Shymkent... Read More ...

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In rural Moldova, milk is collected daily from hundreds of local households with one or two cows. Selling extra milk is one of the few ways villagers can augment their $200-400 annual income. Here, American Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer John Kappelman records part of a day's yield.Farmer-to-Farmer Program Yields Cross-Cultural Collaboration

USAID’s Farmer-to-Farmer (FtF) Program operates in 40+ countries. It provides volunteers to help not just farmers, but agribusinesses and their supporting organizations to promote sustainable improvements in food processing, production, and marketing... Read More ...

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The new bazaar will sell produce for the Dushanbe and Badakhshan Autonomous Region marketsNew Bazaar to Increase Local Economic Opportunities

Tavildara’s first bazaar, built with support from USAID’s Tajikistan Conflict Prevention Project, officially opened on September 3... Read More ...

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Estonian hosts shared tips for maximizing local development opportunities after EU accessionEstonia Shares Development Lessons with New EU Countries

From October 8-15, a group of local development experts from eight Bulgarian municipalities traveled to Estonia for training on Improving the Economic Development Environment of Local Communities... Read More ...

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With USAID support, Turkmen greenhouse farmers learn from their Uzbek colleaguesTurkmen/Uzbek Farmer Exchange Boosts Quality, Production

In September 2006, six leading Turkmen greenhouse growers and greenhouse input suppliers traveled to Uzbekistan to meet growers from the eastern part of that country... Read More ...

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Customers look over the products at Fourth Annual International Festival of Tea and Medicinal Herbs held in SarajevoTea, Herbs Mean Big Business for BiH

Visitors to Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) learn quickly that its citizens are great fans of herbal remedies. In fact, more than 100,000 families throughout the country collect and grow herbal plants... Read More ...

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Samir Ceramida (Cera I) signs the GROZD petitionCollaboration Creates 100+ New Jobs for Croatia

Just five years ago, the Donji Miholjac area, located in eastern Croatia along the Hungarian border, suffered from high unemployment and a poor entrepreneurial climate... Read More ...

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Cell PhoneProduce Prices at a Farmer’s Fingertips

Information is money. Easy-to-use technology can mean better prices for agricultural producers. In agriculture, wholesale buyers know at what prices they can sell produce for at terminal markets... Read More ...

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Artisan demonstrates traditional techniquesEthno-Network Strives to Make Handicraft Production Profitable

Until recently, those looking for well-made, traditional handicrafts in Serbia had to look pretty hard. Good quality products were being made but only shoppers in-the-know could easily find them... Read More ...

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Mayor Bogdanovic and the 'City of the Future' AwardReady for Business, Serbia Redefines its Image

You can't export if people are afraid to do business with you. This is a problem that has faced Serbia. Tasked with helping Serbian companies increase revenues and create jobs... Read More ...

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Kazakhstan's entrepreneurs acquire business knowledge and skills through USAID-supported entrepreneurship centersEntrepreneurship Center to Strengthen Business Practices in Kazakhstan

In May, USAID’s Business and Economics Education Project (B&EE) helped open the Kazakhstan-American Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation (KACEBI) at the Western-Kazakhstan Institute of Languages and Management “Evrazia”... Read More ...

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An apparel factory worker applies new standards in practiceCommon Standards Bring Industry Together

In industry, adhering to standards means getting the service or product exactly as you expected it.  Not so long ago, when a company placed an order with Ukrainian apparel factory... Read More ...

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The Select Black Sea team negotiates with potential business partners at Ukraine's booth at the recent Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in MiamiCruise Ship Tourism Returns to Ukraine

When a cruise ship visits a port, it means money. The boat’s passengers spend their cash in the port and its owners buy local port services... Read More ...

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Nikolay Choropita shows Crimean table grapes bunchesFrom Banana Boxes to Brand Recognition

Produce brand names often arise from the region where the commodity being branded is produced. Such is the case with Crimean table grapes, which enjoy brand recognition with Ukrainians... Read More ...

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Elleana Fall-Winter Collection at the Made in Ukraine: Trademark DefileUkraine Fashion Event Gathers Designers, Manufacturers

What Westerners consider a fashion industry – creative designers, skilled manufacturers who translate their visions into well-made clothes, and a developed distribution network – didn’t exist in Ukraine for a long time... Read More ...

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Larissa Kazachenko, with her husband (right) and Mr. Maxi Gainza, a member of the elite British Air Squadron Club, during the Crimea vintage planes exhibition, as a part of 150th anniversary of the Crimean War commemoration (2005)Ukrainian Tourism Says Goodbye to the Dead Season

Larissa Kazachenko is a successful business woman with 15 years of experience in the tourism business. Her agency, Southern Tour, opened in 1996, specializes in cultural and historic tourism... Read More ...

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USAID's program helped this business (see above) recover from looting (below)USAID’s Grants Restore Looted Businesses in Bishkek

In March 2006, USAID completed its six-month Looted Business Loan Support Program (LBLS) that facilitated the recovery of businesses that were either looted or suffered the consequences of looting... Read More ...

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'Our aim is to serve investors,' Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili told reporters covering the May 25 opening of the new business information centerGeorgia Opens for Business

When American investor Matt Bartelsian shared his plans to open a new juice factory overseas, a colleague urged him to contact the Georgian government’s new business information center... Read More ...

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USAID's project will help test Kyrgyz land reform principlesUSAID to Help Kyrgyz Government Conduct Land Reform Pilot

On June 1st, the Government of Kyrgyzstan approved a list of ten pilot communities to test new principles for management and use of land contained in the Land Redistribution Fund... Read More ...

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Located on the Dniepr River, Zaporozhye produces more than half of Ukraine's stainless steel and ball bearings, a third of its cold-rolled steel sheets, and about half of its transformersSocial Partnership Looks to Replicate Russian Success in Ukraine

From June 14th – 16th, representatives from USAID/Russia, USAID/Ukraine, and from USAID/Russia’s implementing partners participated in the annual meeting of the Coordination Council on Social Partnership of the SUAL Company... Read More ...

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Models wore modern designs embellished with traditional artisans' intricate handiworkNo Ordinary Ribbon Cutting: Ethno Evening Highlights Work of Serbian Artists

“An Evening with the Ethno-Network” in Belgrade gave a chance for artisans from around Serbia to promote traditional, handcrafted products. The highlight of the June 29th event, which gathered several hundred artists, fashion designers, government officials and diplomats... Read More ...

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Heljda Eko staff Bilsana Bajramovic and Denis Hrnicevic celebrate World Healthy Food Day with a display of Heljda foods in MercatorOrganic Buckwheat Wins New Markets

Samir Mehonic and Vesna Latifovic were in a unique position. Their organic buckwheat products had just won the “Golden Rose” prize for best new product of the year... Read More ...

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Production process at KashtanTextile Sector Reaps Benefits of Cooperation

For many Ukrainian apparel manufacturers, assembling clothes for foreign companies under a “cut-and-make” scheme is a way to survive while their own brands develop... Read More ...

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Trainings and apprenticeships through the ACT programs help participants gain valuable skills to enter the workforceUSAID-supported Economic Opportunity Center in Tajikistan Celebrates its One-Year Anniversary

The Isfara City Economic Opportunity Center, established by the USAID Alternatives to Conflict in Tajikistan (ACT) Project, celebrated its one-year anniversary this month... Read More ...

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Tour operator Harry Braam plans excursions to Bihac, Cazin, Mostar and Sarajevo for his Dutch clientsDutch Tourists Plan Summer Holidays in BiH

For the first time, a Dutch tourism agency will include excursions to BiH as part of its summer tour offerings... Read More ...

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A potential buyer samples locally-produced cheeseKosovo Cheese Makers Taste Success

A cheese-tasting event in Gjakove/Djakovica in April produced immediate orders for two Kosovo dairy processors... Read More ...

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AMP specialists demonstrate Farm Business Model to Serhiy Panchenko, (right), a table grape grower from Odesa OblastSome Find Farm Business Model Best Tool for Success

Failing to plan is planning to fail” is a popular saying. Unfortunately, many tradition-bound farmers in Ukraine have never paid much attention to planning... Read More ...

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Oleg Stoyanov, Loan Specialist, (left) consults a new client-farmerUkrainian Farmers Learn to Master Loans

If you have never applied for a loan, it is probably only a matter of time before you do. Personal and commercial bank loans, commonly used by most everybody in the United States and Europe... Read More ...

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Prime Minister Kulov and Light Industry Association’s Director Asanov open the fairKyrgyzstan Holds First Privately-Organized Textile Trade Fair

From March 1-7, 2006, the Association of Light Industry “LEGPROM,” with USAID support, held the first international textile trade fair organized by a private entity in Kyrgyzstan... Read More ...

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Croatian Prime Minister Dr. Ivo Sanader visits the Software Development Center training facility, a joint project of USAID and Microsoft in partnership with the City of VarazdinGates Lends Support to Croatia’s IT Efforts

Technology is a driving force in business and everyday life, said Bill Gates, Microsoft President in a special statement for Croatian Television... Read More ...

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A USAID-supported micro grant helped the Hadzics begin working toward a brighter futureBosnian Refugee Family Begins Making Restaurant Dream a Reality

Robert and Sonja Hadzic, a mixed-marriage refugee family from Trebinje, Bosnia, came to Serbia with only a few bags of their most precious personal belongings... Read More ...

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USAID's entrepreneurial development assistance helps people like Julija Stretovic provide for their families, raise their standard of living, and contribute to local economic growthMontenegrin Families Thrive on Small Business Opportunities

After losing their jobs at a state-owned company in the Montenegrin coastal city of Bar, Julija Skretovic, her husband, Halil, and their 19-year-old unemployed son, faced serious economic hardship... Read More ...

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USAID-sponsored loans enabled Mali Medo to grow into an exporting organization that employs 47 peopleOpportunity Bank Helps Strengthen Montenegro’s Private Sector

Mali Medo is Montenegro's only children's clothing manufacturing firm. What began as a  husband-and-wife entrepreneurial startup has grown considerably... Read More ...

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With premium ingredients—including organic Serbian raspberries—and a new, upscale look, Adoré Chocolat tastes sweet successFirst Luxury Chocolate from Serbia Enters World Markets

In December 2005, Belgrade chocolate maker Mirjana Kostic formally launched Adoré Chocolat, Serbia's first luxury chocolate brand... Read More ...

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'Iron Lady' Lyudmyla Sobol and associate check the cabbage cropSuccess in Business Breeds Success in Community Service

The name “Lyudmyla” can be translated from Ukrainian as a one who is “dear to people.”  Lyudmila Sobol from Khudyaki village, Cherkasy oblast, mirrors the name fully... Read More ...

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Milutin Strizovic has lined up buyers and potential international marketing opportunities for the woodcrafts produced in his shop in CacakUSAID Micro-Grants Help Serbia’s Vulnerable Residents

In late 2004 a special project "Start Your Own Business" was launched as part of the Community Revitalization through Democratic Action (CRDA) program... Read More ...

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Doro was one of three SMEs that USAID’s project selected to attend the Rebuild Afghanistan Exhibition in November 2005Tajik Firm Finds Buyers in Afghanistan

Participation in the Rebuild Afghanistan Exhibition was an excellent investment for Tajik company Doro, a client of the USAID Enterprise Development Project (EDP) implemented by Pragma... Read More ...

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USAID, local residents, and the Cetinje municipality partnered to restore local economic opportunity by renovating this meat-production facilityVillagers Rejuvenate Local Food Production in Southwestern Montenegro

The Montenegrin region of Katunska Nahija, with the villages Cevo, Njegusi, and Tresnjevo, is well-known for its traditional production of ham, dried meat, and cheese... Read More ...

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The Cahul One-Stop-Shop deliver efficient and courteous service to those seeking business permitsMoldova’s One-Stop-Shops Curb Corruption and Save Time, Money for Businesses

Valentina Capraru, a bookkeeper for a small company, came to the One-Stop-Shop for permit authorizations in the town of Cahul to apply for a trade authorization... Read More ...

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Mrs. Balan (in red shirt) inspects the crop before harvestPartnering with Private Sector, USAID Flood Relief Saves Harvest for Many Romanian Farmers

One year ago, in April 2005, severe flooding hit the western part of Romania.  USAID mounted an immediate campaign to assist those most affected and support relief efforts... Read More ...

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Vladimir Tomaic and his family at his new milk processing facility in Krasno, which employs 14 people and processes nearly 2,000 liters of milk dailyCroatian Dairy Producers Benefit from One Man’s Vision, USAID Support

In 1992, Tomaic Commerce Ltd. did not exist, except in the vision of one person, Mr. Vladimir Tomaic.  He began processing milk and producing hard cheese in his back yard with the support of his wife and children... Read More ...

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USAID program helped Croatian entrepreneur expand his rubber company and employ 130 new workersUSAID Technical Assistance Helps Croatian Businesses Expand

Many small companies face serious problems when their company outgrows the capabilities of the founding owner... Read More ...

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Fish processing at Breeze Ltd.Ukrainian Breeze Ready to Blow into the EU Market

As Ukraine prepares to enter the World Trade Organization global trade market, Ukrainian food processors must meet a key export precondition to ensure the safety of the food they process to compete effectively.... Read More ...

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A Varna workshop on marketing in late 2005 drew a diverse group of enthusiastic managersCEED has launched its first training in Varna and Burgas

The Bulgarian Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) was officially launched on September, 20, 2005 with the support of USAID and the Small Enterprise Assistance Fund (SEAF)... Read More ...

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CerealiaUkraine Ltd. has been tapped by both McDonald's and Kraft FoodsAdoption of New Standards Helps Cerealia Attract Major Global Food Producers

Cerealia Ukraine Ltd., a member of Cerealia Group Corp., processes and promotes cereal food products. In 1991, the plant made the transition to modern technologies... Read More ...

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Farmer Viktor Poleshchuk tends his flockFree Legal Consultation Yields Privatized Land for Ukraine’s Farmers

At least half of the 3,000 registered farmers in Ukraine’s Kherson region have heard of Viktor Poleshchuk. Poleschchuk was the first farmer in the region to privatize arid and sandy land instead of fertile chornozem land... Read More ...

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Workers receive salaries for first time in 3 yearsBankruptcy is Not the End for Unis Tadiv Employees

Workers at Unis Tadiv in Konjic are getting paid once again thanks to the company’s decision to file for bankruptcy... Read More ...

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Edinet Mayor Leonid Jidacevschii hands the first trade license issued by One Stop Shop On-line to Alexandru MişcencSmoothing the Path for Business in Moldova

In Moldova, regulatory reform has become an increasingly popular tool to effectively fight corruption and bribery. When combined with political will and popular support, regulatory reform is virtually unbeatable... Read More ...

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Farmers from Buzim watch as a member of the Jezerski Farmers Association demonstrates the use of the association's new balerBiH Dairy Farmers Boost Milk Production

Nine famers from Buzim were recently let in on a valuable secret: Cutting their grass earlier can increase their winter milk production by as much as 10 to 15%... Read More ...

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Local Economic Development staff are ready for businessTwelve Bulgarian Municipalities Open for Business Development

Municipal Local Economic Development is a relatively new but growing concept in Bulgaria. In order to facilitate that growth, USAID has established its municipal local economic development (LED) program in Bulgaria... Read More ...

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President of the Congress of Women NGO Zamira Akbagysheva, U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, and Vice Mayor of Tokmok City Sergey Stupnikov open the Tokmok Business IncubatorUSAID-Supported Incubator to Boost Small Business Development in Kyrgyzstan

The lack of financial resources, business know-how, and the costliness of adequate space are but some of the formidable obstacles to small business development in Kyrgyzstan... Read More ...

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USAID-provided tools are the initial step toward preparing Boka Bay's olive orchards for renewed productionCultivating a Symbol of Peace: Revitalizing Montenegro’s Olive Oil Industry

Montenegro, with its 450,000 olive trees, was once the main olive oil supplier for the former Yugoslavia. The collapse of Yugoslavia, subsequent economic sanctions... Read More ...

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Nearly 3,400 Kazakhstanis took the CAP test, which has been administered in 13 cities to dateUSAID-Supported Accounting Program Gains Momentum in Kazakhstan

The availability of trained accountants is essential for Kazakhstan’s conversion to international financial reporting standards, which are key to trade and investment growth in the region... Read More ...

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USAID seeks to educate managers on how to more effectively compete in the global marketTraining DVD Targets Bulgarian Apparel Industry

More than 2500 apparel and textile companies generate a quarter of all Bulgarian exports and employ more than 170,000 people. The apparel industry faces severe threats from global competition... Read More ...

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A model showcases the handiwork of Ethno Network's membersEthnographic Artwork Debuts on the Catwalk

USAID's Community Revitalization through Democratic Action (CRDA) program was started throughout Serbia in 2001. One of the program's areas of emphasis is the country's ethnographic arts and crafts industry... Read More ...

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Infinite Solutions CEO Slagjan Mihajlovski credits USAID with providing his firm with the confidence to competeYoung Macedonian IT Firms Join Forces to Win Major European Bank Contract

It was a daring move. In September 2005, Infinite Solutions and EuroNetCom, two relatively new Macedonian IT companies, decided to compete for a contract with one of the largest banks in Europe... Read More ...

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Kazakh truck drivers benefited from a project-facilitated reduction in insurance fees imposed by Russian CustomsDeregulation Efforts Lead to $150 Million in Savings for Kazakhstani Businesses

USAID’s Trade Facilitation and Investment Project successfully reduced business constraints related to nine separate processes in seven cities during the last quarter of 2005... Read More ...

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A CraftsmanStara Zagora Supports Its Roma Craftsmen

On October 31, 2005, six Roma craftsmen from the Technitari Union in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria received free equipment and instruments for maintenance and development... Read More ...

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From left: Mite Iliev, Bruce Cameron and Bolt MooreU.S. Faith-Based Investors Get Warm Reception in Rural Macedonia

Slave Velesanov isn’t the sort of person who lets opportunities pass him by. As a practicing Minister in Strumica, an agricultural community in the southern part of the Republic of Macedonia... Read More ...

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BCCI’s Sofia headquarters and home to the new Commercial Mediation CenterOldest Bulgarian Business Association Opens Commercial Mediation Center

On October 27, 2005, the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) officially opened its Commercial Mediation Center... Read More ...

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A Join-In campaign billboard targets business owners: 'Too many reports? Fight Back!'Strong Messages Urge Moldovan Entrepreneurs to Support Regulatory Reform

“Tired of writing too many reports?” “Tired of staying in too many lines?” “Tired of too many inspections? These are just a few messages one can frequently see while strolling or driving in Moldova... Read More ...

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Andrey Nizhnik savors life in the Belarusian village where he and his wife operate a bed and breakfastRural Tourism Development Supports Private Enterprise Growth in Belarus

Over a freshly-made cheese fritter drenched in homemade sour cream and topped with hand-picked strawberries... Read More ...

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Helping to Formalize Refugee Businesses

DUO STIL is the name of a newly registered furniture production and repair company. It is co-owned by the Dabic and Tasic families, internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Kosovo and Metohija... Read More ...

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SEDP Libertas pack New Methods Extend Markets for Serbian Raspberries

Technicians at the Libertas fruit company, with help from the USAID / Serbia Enterprise Development Project (SEDP), are testing storage and shipping methods... Read More ...

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'Foodex' jam before (left) and after (right) branding assistance Serbian Jam Gets a Makeover

With help from the USAID/Serbia Enterprise Development Project (SEDP), the Belgrade based Foodex Company is preparing an international launch... Read More ...

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Djemailj Jahiri next to his new moto-cultivator Roma Family Rebuilds Life and Looks to the Future

The Jahiris are a Roma family of ten who escaped the Kosovo conflict in 1999. They once lived on half a hectare of land, growing greenhouse vegetables... Read More ...

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One of Sladjana Videnovic’s daughters stands before a display of shoes by Serbia Opens its First “Business-Incubator” Center

Eight small enterprises in the southeastern Serbian municipality of Knjazevac are the first to have the opportunity to get the jump-start they need to become economically viable... Read More ...

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Elshad Bayramov never dreamed that he would be able to afford a tractor Rural Credit Project Yields Success for Azerbaijan’s Farmers

Elshad Bayramov, a small-scale dairy farmer, vastly improved his operations with the help of loans totaling $16,000 from CredAgro, a rural lending institution established under the Azerbaijan Rural Credit (ARC) Project... Read More ...

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The ABAD Marketing Center helped connect a buyer with a local farmer willing to plant an early maturing watermelon variety Demand-Driven Approach Bears Fruit for Watermelon Farmers

One of the biggest problems facing watermelon growers in rural Azerbaijan is selling their product. Every year, farmers raise thousands of tons of watermelons... Read More ...

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Looking into new textile design Serbian Knitwear Maker Doubles Revenues, Continues Growth

For Serbian knitwear maker Ivkovic Trikotaza, the future is looking as bright as the company's innovative fashions... Read More ...

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View of Budva’s Old Town Water Supply Overhaul in Montenegro Improves Tourism, Creates New Jobs

Montenegro is a country of exquisite natural and cultural resources. Every summer, more than 600,000 tourists flock to its shores and towns... Read More ...

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Mayor Daley (left) and Mayor Bogdanovic (right) shake hands after signing the Sister City Agreement Belgrade-Chicago Sister City Relationship Brings Dawn of a New Era in Serbia Diaspora Relations

The establishment of a Sister City relationship with a US city with a strong Serbian Diaspora was a top priority when USAID first began working with the City of Belgrade in February 2005... Read More ...

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Dimitar Chavkaraoski (center) discusses tourism brochure with Kosta Mickoski, and a member of the mayor's staff Citizens Help Mountain Village Progress

Economic Development Center helps local groups intent on boosting tourism in one of Macedonia’s prettiest villages... Read More ...

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A Rukavychka customer picks fresh produceA Wholesaler of Frozen Food Goes Fresh

Oksana Bondarivs’ka, 42, a vegetarian, had always had problems finding fresh quality produce in her district. Although there was a small bazaar right across the street and several small retailers... Read More ...

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A Sensus shop displays the 2005 spring-summer collectionUkrainian Clothing Brand Success Paves the Way to Russia

On average, a Ukrainian clothing manufacturer works under a “cut-and-make scheme,” earning about 30 cents for each piece of clothing it produces... Read More ...

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Petro Fedyna, the cooperative Director, presents dried fruit samplesFarmers Join Forces to Compete Effectively A Year of Joint Work Yields $145,000 in Sales

Small-scale farms in Zhovkva, Lviv Oblast, faced a new marketing challenge when fruit and vegetable processors and wholesalers began to move away from individual producers to larger legal agricultural entities... Read More ...

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Stanislav Sych and his new aid: ULTI Magazine 'Land Privatization: Law Practice, Problems'Legal Aid Center Helps Farmer Start Business

Stanislav Sych, a miller from Nykyforivtsi Village of Vinnytsia Oblast, inherited 3 hectares of land. He did not have much farm experience and wanted to lease out his new parcel... Read More ...

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Yaroslav Dzhumalo, director of Svitlovodsk glass factory SKLO, and Svitlovodsk vase collectionUkrainian Glass Sparkles in its Debut at the World’s Premier Home Furnishings Show

While the glass-making tradition in Ukraine does not compare to the Czech Republic, where the Czechs have practiced the craft since at least the 12th century... Read More ...

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Volodymyr Zaitsev, the owner of 'Chipolino' TM, Odesa, checks AMP website three times per dayInternet as New “Market” To Sell Farmers’ Produce

About a year ago, Yaroslav Mayovets, a farmer from western Ukraine, faced a difficult marketing dilemma. He had a great carrot harvest, but so had many of the farmers in his region... Read More ...

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The Swallow's Nest, a popular tourist destination in Crimea Saving the 2005 Tourist Season in Ukraine

In March 2005, Ukrainian tour operators and tour agents were astonished to learn that the latest amendments to the State Budget law would introduce VAT (value added tax) on inbound tourism services... Read More ...

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Think Tank Considers Strategy for Russian Far East Development

On June 22-24, the Far Eastern Center for Economic Development, a USAID/Russia partner think tank, held a Forum on Regional Strategic Development in Vladivostok... Read More ...

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Consumer protection program uncovered misleading pricing schemeCorrupt Marketing Practices Exposed Thanks to USAID Media Initiative

Dzepobran, a consumer protection TV series, aired a story on one of the major grocery stores in BiH. The crew discovered that the store's promotional campaign... Read More ...

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A WFA member and her children examine the new equipmentFreezer Helps BiH Women’s Farmer Association Increase Dairy Sales

Under its Linking Agriculture Markets to Producers (LAMP) project, USAID provided a Lacto freezer to support the Women’s Farmer Association from Tesanj and Usora... Read More ...

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Dairy products are a reliable source of income for needy familiesReturnee Families Receive Support for Fresh Start

In April, USAID distributed 41 small loans and 56 grants to extremely vulnerable minority returnee families under its Economic Assistance to Support Sustainable Minority Returns in BiH project... Read More ...

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Industrial design student works on her modelsStudents Breathe Fresh Life into Furniture Design

Industrial design students had a unique chance to exhibit their creations at the 5-day “Made in BiH” workshop sponsored by USAID’s Cluster Competitiveness Activity (CCA)... Read More ...

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Farmer-to-Farmer volunteers educate Russian veterinarians and poultry specialists on U.S. food safety regulationsBuilding Bridges in the Poultry Industry

Two Farmer to Farmer Volunteers, Dr. Alling Yanci and Dr. Beth Krushinsky, recruited by ACDI/VOCA, a USAID-funded program, delivered detailed food safety presentations for the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) at a conference in Moscow... Read More ...

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Mushroom employee proudly shows off her firm’s productQuality Proves Key to Mushrooming Success in BiH

In 2001, Milan Zoric and Boran Maglov had a dream to build a business exporting organic mushrooms of the highest quality. So, based upon their combined experience with finance and medicinal and aromatic plants... Read More ...

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Several new deals were signed between participants at the May 19th eventB2B Boosts Cross-Border Trading for Balkans

The 7th Business-To-Business Forum sponsored by the Montenegro Business Alliance was held on May 19th at Sveti Stefan, Montenegro. More than 160 companies from the Balkan region... Read More ...

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Maria LeahuMoldovan Dairy Farmers Hit Two Million Lei in Sales

When Liudmila Serepitco, a retired teacher in Cainarii Vechi, started a modest milk collection point 8 years ago, she had no idea that her attempt at entrepreneurship would touch the lives... Read More ...

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Survey Shows Russian Companies Adopting International Accounting Standards

On May 28, the USAID-sponsored Russian Institute of Directors (RID) presented the results of its annual survey of the corporate governance practices of Russian companies... Read More ...

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Business Associations in Twelve Regions Promote Reforms

During a five-day workshop in Smolensk last week, business associations from Smolenskaya, Nizhegorodskaya, Kirovskaya, and Kamchatskaya Oblasts each created work plans to improve the business climate in their regions... Read More ...

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Sladjana Janic Women’s Cooperative Reinvents Traditional Craftmaking

Economic changes in Serbia, including structural adjustment and privatization policies, have led to dramatic increases in poverty and insecurity for poor women... Read More ...

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Student measures blood pressure Junior Achievement Partnership Prepares Student Entrepreneurs for Business

With a population of over 110,000, the central Serbian town of Smederevo is among the largest municipalities in the nation. Resting on the edge of the Sumadija region and stretching to the banks of the Danube and Morava rivers... Read More ...

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USAID advises on privatization of pulp and paper producerNatron Maglaj Joint Venture to Preserve 450 Jobs

BiH's pulp and paper-producing firm, Natron Maglaj, was privatized through a joint venture with Kastamonu Entegre, part of the Hayat Holding Group from Turkey... Read More ...

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The Moldovan Parliament considers legislationNew USAID-Supported Legislation in Moldova Cuts Business Regulations

Business in Moldova may have reached a breakthrough moment when a new law on reviewing and streamlining business regulations, developed with substantial input from USAID and Bizpro/Moldova... Read More ...

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Fair in KrajinaKrajina Emerging as a Tourist Destination

“There are so many tourists who should be shown what this part of Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) can offer," said Milan Torbak from Zagreb, Croatia as he gazed at the crowd on Vlasic Mountain one sunny Sunday... Read More ...

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Mykola ChumakA Farmer Gains Profit by Signing Contracts with Supermarket Chains

Mykola Chumak, a Crimean farmer for 14 years, views the year 2004 as his most successful year for crops, profits and business contracts... Read More ...

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One of Serbia’s 10 Perfect Places Supporting Tourism Entrepreneurship Along Serbia’s Corridor X

Roughly 10,000 vehicles per day travel along the Serbian stretch of the so-called Corridor X, a portion of the Munich-Athens international road that stretches... Read More ...

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MBA’s Petar Ivanovic accepts 2004 Make a Better World Award Montenegro Business Alliance Wins Top Award in Worldwide Contest

The Montenegro Business Alliance (MBA), supported by the USAID Private Sector Development Project in Montenegro, has been chosen as the Overall Winner... Read More ...

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NECC Meeting Private/Public Forum Created To Support Macedonian Entrepreneurs

The NECC was created in 2002 to provide a forum for constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors as a response to the obvious need to provide a place where serious issues facing business... Read More ...

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Sofia and Gazeem proudly displaying material in their new storeAlbanian Gypsies in the Business

Like most Gypsies in Albania, Sofia and Gezim Neziri sold used clothing on the streets, they lived a marginalized existence of poverty, usually associated with their Jevgu/Roma communities... Read More ...

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Examining Mushrooms Leasing Sows Seeds of Prosperity for Georgian Agriculture

It’s wild mushroom season in the mountains near Sachkere, Georgia and every day villagers of all ages fan out into the cool forests to collect succulent porcinis and chanterelles... Read More ...

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A woman in her bakery Business Training Helps Ukrainian Woman Realize Dreams

Makiyivka, Donetsk oblast, Ukraine - Victoria Nikitina worked as a processing engineer of bakery production at a state baker’s plant for 20 years until she saw a newspaper announcement about business training... Read More ...

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Agricultural Marketing Project members present a sorting machine to the Executive Director of Sviatylivka cooperative, Tetiana Strashnenko USAID-backed Programs Work To Improve Profits and Distribution Channels for Farming Cooperative in Rural Ukraine

Currently, the fruit and vegetable sector in Ukraine is comprised mainly of small plot farmers who depend on marketing their produce, including cucumbers in the fresh, local markets... Read More ...

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USAID Provides Aid to Macedonian Artisans

The Aid to Artisans (ATA) project works with artisans and small and medium-sized enterprises in Macedonia to develop local and export markets for traditional and contemporary craft products, thus increasing their incomes and creating employment... Read More ...

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Orchard Farm Orchard Growers Association Helps Members Expand Sales From Local Markets to Supermarket

Assisted by Agricultural Marketing Project, an Association member Mykola Olijnyk, finds new marketing possibilities and sells 82 tons of apples to Cherkasy supermarkets... Read More ...

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The Complete Guide to Financing in Azerbaijan First Financing Resource Guide Published for Azerbaijan Businesses

In May 2004, the Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center released The Complete Guide to Financing in Azerbaijan. This is the first comprehensive financing resource guide available to Azerbaijan business community... Read More ...

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TomatoesCheer Dried Fruit Finding New International Markets

In the sun-soaked fields of Armavir Marz lays an inspiring success story. The Cheer company produces dried fruits and vegetables for export and has been a DAIASME partner for more than three years... Read More ...

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Farm Produce packagedA Catalyst Approach to a Farm Cooperative’s Success in Halaidovo Village

Forming cooperatives according to western principles has not been easy in Ukraine. Attitudes and idealism left over from the old collective agriculture system still pervade... Read More ...

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PotatoesKhmelnytsky Farmers Make Profit by Growing Elite Potato Seed

Until recently, Ukrainian farmers and house plot owners (HPOs) grew potatoes using old traditional methods and backward technologies, mostly for their home consumption... Read More ...

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Supporting Macedonia's New Cheese Exporters

There are 50,000 people in Macedonian who make their livelihood from sheep, mostly from the sale of lamb and cheese. In general, their standard of living is low, but Macedonians connected with the industry... Read More ...

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Market Information Journal covers Market Information (MI) Journal Makes a Large Impact During Its First Year

Ukraine has long been known for its substantial share of the most fertile land in the world. Twenty-four percent of 22.5 million of the Ukrainian workforce work in the agricultural sector... Read More ...

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Peach Trees Modernizing the Operating Techniques and Equipment in Macedonia

The Dushan Ciric company is one of 40 in a Land O’Lakes program backed by USAID to modernize the operating techniques and equipment of fruit and vegetable producers in Macedonia... Read More ...

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Equipment Informed Analysis by AAC Assures Optimized Investment Decisions by Azeri Businesses Equipment Upgrades

The Azerbaijan Agribusiness Center assured that Azeri agribusiness companies maximized their business investments by assisting them in gathering and assessing critical information on construction and equipment before funds were expended... Read More ...

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Consulting Firms Network to Boost Regional Trade and Expertise in Southeast Europe

In its short 18 month life, the TRADE Network is already yielding clear benefits of increased cooperation among consulting firms in domestic as well as in the Southeast Europe Regional market... Read More ...

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Farm Stand The Agricultural Marketing Project in Ukraine Helps Farmers Identify New Distribution Channels

The Agricultural Marketing Project (AMP) is currently working on ways to assist farmers in identifying, marketing, and better distributing their produce to increase incomes, lower expenses... Read More ...

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Wine & Cheese Festival in Ohrid Delivers Market Feedback for Traditional Macedonian Sheepherders

Macedonian sheepherders use traditional techniques to produce wonderful tasting feta and other sheep cheeses. Although cheese is one of their most profitable income sources, a majority of their production is sold from the farm gate to re-sellers... Read More ...

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Underwear Maker Jasmil Prepares Exports to US

Arilje-based textile producer Jasmil has been preparing its first batches of children’s underwear to be shipped to the United States in February 2005, thanks to deals made during Jasmil’s participation in autumn fashion fairs in New York... Read More ...

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Last Updated on: December 30, 2008