USAID’s Export Led Growth activity is a five-year activity that aims to promote resilient, self-sustaining market systems and to facilitate the private sector’s improved competitiveness in local, regional, and global markets.  The activity will utilize a market systems approach aligned with USAID’s Private Sector Engagement Policy, and will focus in three key export-oriented sectors—wood processing, food processing, and Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)—to increase their competitiveness sustainably. 

KEY ACTIVITIES

In order to have sustainable, transformative change, USAID’s Export Led Growth activity will address key elements of the market system in a holistic manner:  by examining the relevant actors involved and influencing the target sectors, and by engaging all actors to address points of leverage. 

The activity will increase the capacities and relationships within the targeted systems in order to (1) eliminate or mitigate constraints in the market system and (2) promote the incentives that facilitate growth; thus, upgrading private sector performance and leading to improved competitiveness in local, regional, and global markets.  Addressing these root causes of constraints will stimulate enterprise growth, promote job creation, and increase capacities to foster greater market penetration. 

EXPECTED RESULTS 

• Market systems strengthened to increase sector competitiveness 
• More productive and competitive market actors within those market systems 

USAID will measure project achievements through indicators of both:  tangible economic benefits and more competitive, resilient, and inclusive market systems.  As touched on by the following illustrative, but non-exhaustive, indicators: 

- Increased net value of exports attributable to U.S. Government (USG)-funded assistance

- Business linkages between Kosovo partners and international buyers established 

- Value of new private- and public-sector investment leveraged as a result of USG assistance                  

Project Duration:            August 2020 – August 2025     

Partner:                               Cardno Int.  

Contact:                               Flora Arifi