Program Data Sheet
538-004
USAID MISSION: Caribbean Regional
PROGRAM TITLE: Competitiveness in the Caribbean (Pillar: Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade)
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE AND NUMBER: Increased Employment and Diversification in Select Non-Traditional Activities, 538-004
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $ 4,500,000 ESF
PRIOR YEAR UNOBLIGATED AND FUNDING SOURCE: $0
PROPOSED FY 2003 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $ 5,500,000 DA; $ 1,000,000 ESF
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 2000 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2004
Summary: USAID's economic growth program includes technical assistance and training in:
- competitive production and services;
- information services and technology; and
- developing and drafting legislation and policies for countries in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Inputs, Outputs and Activities: FY 2002 Program: In FY 2002, ESF will be used to help modernize the Eastern Caribbean's telecommunications sector and strengthen the ability of the private sector to compete in the international marketplace. Technical assistance and training will be provided to targeted small- and medium-sized companies in areas such as product and quality assurance, computerization, productivity tooling, marketing information and research, and gaining access to new markets. Technical assistance and training will also be provided to a newly established regulatory authority, Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications (ECTEL), to help staff draft model licenses and regulations that will promote competition in this sector. To promote the use of information technology applications, new "telecenters" will be created in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries in FY 2002. To enhance competitiveness in the region, international best business practice standards will be promoted by adopting international standards of product quality, intellectual property rights, financial management, professional and business services, and investment policies. Efforts will also be undertaken to help educational institutions build human capacity in key areas, such as information technology and business management. USAID will also work closely with CARICOM countries in achieving a consensus on regional integration of policies required to meet Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and World Trade Organization (WTO) standards and requirements. Through the newly established Caribbean Regional Technical Assistance Center (CARTAC), USAID and other donors will provide technical assistance and training to Caribbean governments on fiscal and monetary policies and regulations.
Planned FY 2003 Program: USAID plans to use FY 2003 resources to fund technical assistance and training to: 1) improve capacity and upgrade competitiveness for delivery of non-traditional products and services internationally, including new, unique products such as sea island cotton; 2) draft legislation in OECS countries to advance sanitary and phytosanitary standards and regulations to assure compliance with WTO food processing and animal/plant health and quarantine requirements; and 3) support the financial sector in areas such as risk reduction.
Performance and Results: As a result of USAID activities, substantial progress has been made in establishing the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications authority's regulatory framework, and movement has been made in interconnections, setting tariffs, licensing, pricing, numbering, and spectrum allocation and license fees.
| ECTEL has more than 25% of the new telecommunications legislation, rules, and procedures in place. |
Business advisors are assisting the Export Development Unit of the OECS Secretariat in providing these information technologies and other services throughout the region.
With successful completion of the program in 2004, employment and diversification in selected non-traditional activities will have increased, and trade in selected non-traditional products and services will have grown, contributing to enhanced broad-based and sustainable development. USAID expects that by 2004, approximately 100 businesses will have adopted international standards of best business practices (20 firms by the end of 2002). It is anticipated that Caribbean private enterprises will improve productivity and profitability applying a modernized package of services. In addition, these companies will enhance their capability to compete in the global market. The number of new businesses in the region will increase by the end of the strategy period, assuming the telecommunications regulatory structure is operational.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: CARANA Corporation is assisting ECTEL in establishing telecommunications regulations. The OECS Export Development Unit is providing support to implement the small- and medium-sized business activity in the Eastern Caribbean. The Pan American Health Organization is assisting with the sanitary and phytosanitary standards legislation. USAID will contract with a U.S.-based company to implement activities related to upgrading competitiveness in non-traditional and unique products.
US Financing in Thousands of Dollars
|
538-004 Increased employment and diversificationin select non-traditional activities | DA | ESF |
|---|
|
Through September 30, 2000
|
| Obligations | 457 | 2,500
|
| Expenditures | 197 | 0
|
| Unliquidated | 260 | 2,500
|
|
Fiscal Year 2001
|
| Obligations | 0 | 2,500
|
| Expenditures | 160 | 422
|
|
Through September 30, 2001
|
| Obligations | 457 | 5,000
|
| Expenditures | 357 | 422
|
| Unliquidated | 100 | 4,578
|
|
Prior Year Unobligated Funds
|
| Obligations | 0 | 0
|
|
Planned Fiscal Year 2002 NOA
|
| Obligations | 0 | 4,500
|
|
Total Planned Fiscal Year 2002
|
| Obligations | 0 | 4,500
|
|
Proposed Fiscal Year 2003 NOA
|
| Obligations | 5,500 | 1,000
|
| Future Obligations | 3,000 | 2,000
|
| Est. Total Cost | 8,957 | 12,500
|
|
