USAID's Response: Enterprise Development

• improve agriculture;
• expand job opportunities through increasing the size and scope of local industries; and
• facilitate business expansion and start-ups through access to loans and other financial services.

USAID is a key contributor to the rapid growth in food grain production.  USAID also was instrumental in the establishment of Bangladesh's national agriculture research system, which develops innovative farming methods and higher-yield crop production and introduces these approaches to local farmers.

Jobs and Small Business Development for the Poor
USAID's current efforts benefit low-income families through expansion of agribusiness and small business programs. The programs help create jobs, increase entrepreneurial opportunities and improve family incomes. USAID works to increase the productivity of traditional food crops and entry into non-traditional, high-value markets, such as shrimp production and processing for export. Through USAID's work with processing and marketing enterprises, local farmers are better able to identify and develop opportunities in food processing and packaging to add additional value to their regular agricultural products. This increases rural household incomes.

USAID supports entrepreneurs by creating a more positive business climate. Specifically, USAID provides access to loans and other financial services, training in quality assurance and improved product design, access to new markets and enhanced telecommunications. USAID also assists entrepreneurs in identifying and promoting new labor-intensive products and services. This adds jobs for the rapidly expanding workforce.

Increasing Competitiveness and Exports
USAID is now assisting the Government to improve private sector competitiveness and expand exports. The objectives are to:

• increase and diversify exports by improving the competitiveness of selected sectors;
• assist the information and communication technology sector by improving the ability of Bangladeshi farms to compete in global and domestic markets; and
• identify and address policy and/or regulatory constraints impeding private sector growth.

To help agribusiness and small businesses grow, USAID and our partners are promoting the following changes to the current business climate:

1. more market-oriented policies, laws and regulations;
2. strengthened business support institutions; and
3. improved performance of selected enterprises in targeted sectors.

USAID provides local farmers, entrepreneurs and private enterprises access to information, training and loan guaranties in order to expand both agribusiness and small business. USAID also supports policy change in favor of a more open, market-driven society.