USAID launches new project in Azerbaijan

This fall, USAID is launching the Private Sector Activity (PSA), a new project designed to partner with both Azerbaijan’s public and private sector to strengthen businesses and the business environment in the country, Report informs citing the press service of the organization. 

The five-year, $15 million initiative will support the non-oil sector to improve competitiveness, strengthen business support services, and reduce barriers to the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Anticipated activities include group trainings, individual business consultations, international study trips and forums to facilitate business linkages between the U.S. and Azerbaijan, and support to catalyze the adoption of modern production, processing, and management technologies. At the same time, in partnership with the Azerbaijani government and private sector, PSA will help to address their priorities for modernization and improvement of public and private sector support and service delivery.

These efforts will support the diversification and increased competitiveness of Azerbaijan’s economy. With the PSA project, USAID aim to have 30,000 farmers using new agronomy and business practices, increase agricultural exports to markets in Europe, Middle East, and Asia, help enterprises increase their sales, facilitate new business loans to private sector, promote a streamlined business environment, and strengthen support to small and medium business. Together, these impacts will help lead to increased incomes, resiliency, and competitiveness in rural communities.