Improving Business Environments for Agile Markets (iBEAM)

Project Description

Removing barriers to economic growth to promote prosperity.

Context

Robust economic growth is integral to reducing extreme poverty. Time and time again, booms in economic growth have been constrained by burdensome or inefficient regulatory environments. Structural economic reform in developing countries, when implemented appropriately, can have a significant effect on the growth of their economies through improved resource allocation and productivity gains. Encouraging strong customs systems, access to finance and regional cooperation in trade and business will lead to an enhanced, enabling environment and increased economic well-being.

Approach

Dexis provided flexible, on-demand technical expertise to the USAID Office of Trade and Regulatory Reform to advance trade facilitation, regional integration, and standards. Dexis’ team improved the understanding and use of best practices in the design and implementation of a business-enabling environment and trade-capacity-building activities. Assistance included technical analysis; knowledge management; training; pilot capacity-building activities; and monitoring and evaluation in Africa, Central America, and Asia.

Achievements

• Facilitated the creation and implementation of three public-private partnerships on trade facilitation, standards, and e-commerce.
• Produced 10 thought leadership pieces on trade and development topics.
• Improved the implementation of World Trade Organization requirements in 12 African countries.
• Assisted the Ghanaian Ministry of Trade and Industry in updating its national African Growth and Opportunity Act agreement.
• Supported six training courses (across West Africa, Asia, and the United States) for USAID officials, development partners, and local counterpart organizations.
• Co-created communication tools to highlight how trade standards and technical regulations contribute to key development priorities including agriculture and food safety, energy, public health, environmental sustainability, science and innovation, and access to clean water.