Support to Enterprise Development and Competitiveness Project

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The objective of the Support to Enterprise Development and Competitiveness Project is to foster MSME competitiveness in the targeted sectors and targeted geographic areas of the Republic of Congo's territory. There are three components to the project, the first component being regulatory and institutional support to strengthen the enabling environment for private sector development. The objective of this component is to promote investments particularly in the priority sectors targeted by the project (agriculture and agribusiness, tourism, transport and information and communication technology) and to strengthen the enabling environment for private sector development - accelerating the adoption of reforms launched under the PADE project (through stronger stakeholder coordination and high-level engagement). The component is divided into three sub-components, as follows: investment climate reform and public private dialogue, targeted promotion of domestic and foreign trade investments, and transport sector and industrial infrastructure management and development. The second component is the direct support to MSMEs to enhance the development and competitiveness of selected value chains. The objective of this component is: (i) to empower the poor and reduce poverty by promoting entrepreneurship; and (ii) to sustain inclusive growth by enhancing the development and competitiveness of value chains in priority sectors identified by the National Development Plan (agriculture and agri-business, Transport/ICT, and Tourism). Weak entrepreneurial activity and support systems for MSME are identified as a significant challenge preventing their growth, development and competitiveness. This component includes two subcomponents: entrepreneurship promotion and development, and support and development grants. Finally, the third component is the project implementation and coordination. This component will support the operating costs of the project’s institutional and governance arrangements. These include facilitating the activities of the project steering committee, setting up and managing a dedicated project management unit (with key staff including a coordinator, a fiduciary team, technical experts on investment climate and private sector development, environmental and social safeguards, monitoring & evaluation, and communication), facilitating stakeholder outreach and communication, and undertaking project evaluation and monitoring.