Strengthening Small & Medium Enterprises

closed

This Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) helps make Colombia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) more competitive by strengthening and fostering concern for quality assurance and environmental conservation as keys to success on world markets. The project develops and introduces quality assurance systems based on ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards. The four components are: (a) raising the awareness of SMEs; (b) training professionals offering services on the market; (c) introduction of quality and environmental management systems; and (d) transferring know-how and marketing. The first component supports two sets of awareness-raising activities: (a) organization by the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards (ICONTEC), in conjunction with the National Training Service (SENA), of seven conferences in seven cities in each of the first two years of the program, in order to sensitize SME owners, as well as professionals responsible for quality controls within companies; and (b) holding of eleven 16-hour courses on quality assurance for SME personnel in each of the program's four years. In the area of environmental protection and ISO 14000 standards, two courses will be held in two cities. Component two funds high-level technical training for the local external auditors and instructors/consultants providing key services for the success of the program. The first year provides for the training of: (a) 120 instructors (consultants) specializing in the introduction of ISO 9000:2000 standards for quality management; (b) at least 80 outside auditors of quality assurance and environmental management systems; and (c) 80 instructors (consultants) specializing in continuous improvement. In the second year of the project, 40 environmental management system instructors (consultants) will be trained in the introduction of ISO 14000 standards. As of the second year, component three will provide financial support to enable SMEs participating in the project to hire the technical advisory services of trainers and auditors skilled in introducing processes leading to the adoption of ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards. Companies that did not participate in component one can also take part by demonstrating that they have at least one internal quality-control leader or manager on their payroll. Component four funds training the staff of ICONTEC and other entities working in the continuous improvement field, such as SENA, in developing technical assistance methods for SMEs. The idea is to establish ICONTEC as the principal intermediary in the search for basic and reliable information on ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards. The component consists of: (a) adapting ICONTEC to the new SME market by devising a promotion strategy, with leaflets and marketing geared especially towards SMEs, designing a project logo, and training ICONTEC staff to respond to the particular demands of SMEs; (b) providing technical assistance for the transition to the new ISO 9000: 2000 standards; and (c) introducing a continuous computerized project management system by creating a dynamic database with information on participants.