Semi-Annual Report #12

ECONOMIC SECURITY PROJECT SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT #12 OCTOBER 1, 2011 – MARCH 31, 2012 April 12, 2012 This report was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Development Alternatives, Inc. 2 3 Economic Security Project SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT #12 OCTOBER 1, 2011 – MARCH 31, 2012 April 12, 2012 DISCLAIMER The author’s views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. Development Alternatives Inc. Vase Pelagica 15 11000 Belgrade, Serbia Phone: (381) 11 363 99 00 Fax: (381) 11 363 99 50 Under Contract: DFD-I-00-05-00250-00 Task Order #1 4 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 7 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Business Support Activities ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Youth Support Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 10 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................................... 11 INTRODUCTION TO ECONOMIC SECURITY ACTIVITIES ........................................ 13 Macroeconomic Context ......................................................................................................................................... 16 BUSINESS SUPPORT ....................................................................................................................................... 19 BUSINESS IMPACT ................................................................................................................................................... 21 Sales Data Analysis........................................................................................................................................................ 21 1. Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................... 22 2. Findings and observations ................................................................................................................................ 24 Key Findings .................................................................................................................................................... 24 Sales ..................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Job creation ...................................................................................................................................................... 28 Employment by sectors ............................................................................................................................... 28 3. Recommendations ................................................................................................................................................ 31 New Markets .................................................................................................................................................................... 32 New Market Entry: Exports ....................................................................................................................... 32 New Market Entry: Domestic .................................................................................................................... 34 BUSINESS IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................................................ 35 Business Assistance Summary ………………………………….………………………………………………………… 36 I. TRAININGS: STRENGTHENED MANAGEMENT SKILLS ............................................................................. 38 A. Leadership Transition ........................................................................................................................................ 38 B. Management and Adaptation to Company’s Growth Life Cycle ........................................................ 39 II. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: PREPARING TO EXPORT ................................................................................. 40 A. Computer-Driven Resource Planning .......................................................................................................... 40 B. International Standards: ISO and Halal ...................................................................................................... 42 1. ISO ................................................................................................................................................................... 42 2. Halal Certification ..................................................................................................................................... 43 III. EXPANDING SALES: Trade Fairs and Trade Missions ............................................................................. 44 Trade Missions and Trade Fairs .......................................................................................................................... 44 ANALYSIS: TRADE FAIR RETURN ON INVESTMENT ..................................................................... 47 SUCCESS STORIES AND PROFILES ...................................................................................................................... 51 5 YOUTH SUPPORT .............................................................................................................................................. 55 Youth Assistance Summary ……………………………………..……………………………………………………….… 56 YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP: AN EMPLOYMENT STRATEGY ................................................................. 57 I. SUPPORT TO YOUTH OFFICES ............................................................................................................................. 59 Selection of Cohort Four Youth Offices ............................................................................................................. 59 A. Youth Offices Capacity Building Trainings ................................................................................................. 61 B. Youth Offices Trainings for Potential and Existing Youth Entrepreneurs ................................... 63 C. Youth Offices – YEAP ........................................................................................................................................... 64 YEAP Continued Implementation Support .......................................................................................... 66 YEAP Sustainability ....................................................................................................................................... 66 II. SUPPORT TO YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS........................................................................................................ 68 Development of Modern Business Skills: Management, Sales and Marketing ................................. 69 III. SUPPORT TO JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT SERBIA ........................................................................................... 71 Building Operational Capacity ............................................................................................................................. 71 Fundraising: Current school Year 2011-2012 ............................................................................................... 73 Fundraising: JAS Sustainability Prospects – 2012/2013 .......................................................................... 76 IV. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS .............................................................................................................................. 79 State University in Novi Pazar Career Center ................................................................................................ 79 International Organization Coordination ........................................................................................................ 79 SUCCESS STORIES AND PROFILES ...................................................................................................................... 80 ANNEXES ..................................................................................................................................................................... 87 ANNEX A: Performance Monitoring Plan Tables .......................................................................................... 89 ANNEX B: Stage of software installation and current benefits .............................................................. 97 ANNEX C: Letter from embassy about moscow Trade Fair ................................................................. 101 ANNEX D: Media Coverage Report .................................................................................................................. 103 6 ECONOMIC SECURITY PROJECT MAP 7 Executive Summary 8 9 Development Alternatives, Incorporated (DAI) is pleased to submit this twelfth Semi-Annual Report for the Economic Security Program (ES) covering

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