E-Business for Small Business Development Project

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The E-Business for Small Business Development Project will build development services markets through an e-business benefits awareness program, and improve micro and small businesses (MSB) access to the information communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. The project has two components: 1) Build e-business development services markets for MSBs via (a) an e-business benefits awareness program, (b) an e-learning and innovation program providing demand-side matching grants for business development services (BDS) providing information, training, market access, and technology appropriate to MSB needs to adopt e-business solutions, (c) a supply-side business centers innovation pilot in ICT-based BDS, providing distance learning, new market access, management tools, and online trading to reduce transaction costs; and, (d) an E-BDS innovation pilot for the promotion of new employment of urban at-risk youth, through ICT-based training, and job placement. 2) Improve MSB access to ICT infrastructure, and new economy e-gov business services - technical assistance, hardware and software investments to (a) extend internet services to MSBs, and to reduce regulations, increase innovation and competitiveness, and, (b) to simplify institutional practices associated with business regulations involving registration, operating licenses, and inspections, labor and tax registration, and renewals via installation of best practices electronic government services. While the project will have a national geographic scope, implementation will begin in Mexico City, and the urban areas of the country's central region states, where the majority of urban poverty and a number of MSBs are found. Implementation capacity will then be expanded to other urban areas according to demand.