SEEP: Programs and Working Groups: Action Research: Working Groups: Market Development: BDS Roundtable Discussion

On November 8, 2004, The SEEP Network and the Argidius foundation held a roundtable that brought together 28 representatives from private foundations, government and multi-lateral donors and agencies implementing business service support programs. The day featured short presentations on different business service strategies used to strengthen rural-based MSE capacities and linkages to manage their businesses for growth.

Argidius Foundation/The SEEP Network

Roundtable Discussion on Business Services for Small Enterprises

November 8, 2004, Washington, DC

SEEP, 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 9th Floor Reception

OVERVIEW

The Roundtable brings together representatives from private foundations, government and multi-lateral donors and agencies implementing business service support programs for micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Latin America and Africa. The day will feature succinct presentations on different business service strategies used to strengthen rural-based MSE capacities and linkages to manage their businesses for growth. The presentations will focus a lively and open discussion on the main topics of the day:

How do different approaches to business services successfully address the challenges of impact on business growth, outreach to large numbers of MSEs and sustainable access to business services MSEs require for their growth?
How can private foundations play a strategic role in support of business services for MSE growth in partnership with bilateral and multi-lateral agencies?

AGENDA

TIME	TOPIC	PRESENTER	Program Descriptions
9:00	Welcome Business Services for MSEs: Changing Principles, Emerging Practices	Jim Shetler, Argidius Dana de Kanter, SEEP Marshall Bear
9:45	Cross Sector Services: Building Training Markets for MSEs Discussion	Diego Guzman, ACCION, OICI, Fundes, Zamorano
11:30	Changing Roles of Donors in Support of Business Services for MSEs Discussion	Kate McKee, USAID IFC, IADB, WV/Canada	IFC
12:30	Lunch hosted by AF and SEEP
2:00	Business Services in Sectors: Building MSE Capacities through Commercial Relationships Discussion	Claire Starkey, FINTRAC AFE, Approtech, TechnoServe, CARE-Canada	Approtech
3:30 to 4:30	The Strategic Role of Private Foundations in Sustainable Service Solutions for MSE Growth	Open Discussion

Recently Added Documents

Information to Action - Tips for Using Market Information When Piloting BDS Market Development Interventions

A Business Development Services (BDS) market assessment (MA) yields a variety of useful information about how a BDS market is operating. One of the most difficult challenges in the BDS field, however, is using market information to design and start an effective program. The amount of information collected from an MA can be overwhelming, and it may be difficult to prioritize issues and effectively begin interventions. This technical note attempts to help practitioners bridge the gap between information and action by providing practical tips on using market information to design and initiate market development interventions in programs targeting microenterprises. The note offers five main tips for using MA information to initiate pilot interventions based on the experience of the participants of the PLP in BDS MA. Each tip’s description includes several suggestions that are illustrated by actual examples from the experiences of PLP participants and others in the BDS field.

BDS Roundtable Discussion

Recently Added Documents

Information to Action - Tips for Using Market Information When Piloting BDS Market Development Interventions

Trickle Up Program Description

BDS Rountable Meeting Minutes

Program Description: EBFP

Accion's Work in Commericalizing Training to Microentrepreneaurs