Support to the Enterprises

closed

This Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) project seeks to build cooperative alliances between small and large companies in order to promote technical, managerial and technological improvements and the use of environmentally clean technologies. There are two components: (a) direct support to companies; and (b) institutional support to the Paraguayan Industrial Union (UIP) and the Subcontracting Exchange (SE). The program is based on the core-satellite (C-S) manufacturing model developed in Taiwan, consisting of a cooperation alliance between one "core" company and a number of "satellite" companies. The UIP will enter into an agreement with the Subcontracting Exchange for execution of the C-S system. UIP's environmental department will execute the loss-minimization aspect.The direct support component consists of two complementary subcomponents to improve the quality, cost and product delivery of participating companies: (a) C-S support; and (b) loss-minimization support. The technique of loss-minimization to reduce environmental pollution would be used to lower costs. Program resources will be used to hire consulting services and finance training. The institutional support component also has C-S and loss-minimization elements. The activities funded under the C-S model are based on: (a) networking; (b) inter-firm assistance; (c) a system for the exchange of ideas, resources and technical skills in a context of constructive interdependence. The industrial pollution control component will emphasize: (a) best practices, by means of diagnostics to identify areas in which better processes produce economic and environmental benefits; (b) assistance with the establishment of environmental management systems, through technical training for manufacturing personnel to establish process controls so as to minimize and/or recycle waste; and (c) awareness heightening hrough courses and workshops for various industrial sectors on the benefits of clean production techniques and measures to improve quality. Financing for this component covers program management.