A brief description of their investment funding-related products and services is provided as a guideline for potential and existing investors. 

Assistance Schemes Available to the Private Sector

Marketing Support Fund
1. Background
The Marketing Support Fund was established to assist micro small and medium enterprises of the Forum Island Countries, which are characterised by limited financial resources, a lack of access to capital, and often an undue reliance on debt. The Fund aims to assist these enterprises with an injection of direct
financial with assistance targeted at increasing market access, enhancing products to gain competitive edge and grow export potential and capability. These would be consistent the Pacific Plan pillar, Economic Growth, which is defined as sustainable, pro-poor economic growth, and advocates amongst others, expansion of market for trade in goods under the trade agreements (SPARTECA, PICTA and PACER).

2. Objective
To facilitate growth of the private sector through increasing their capabilities to expand, market and promote their products more effectively. The Fund is also meant to provide the means for the private sector to gain information on markets that would help them develop and maintain strategic and sustainable plans for their businesses.

3. Areas of coverage

The MSF offers assistance in four main areas as outlined below:

(i) Market Research (maximum F$5,000) – this component assists applicants with the gathering of information such as consumer demographics and product demands and specifications on prospective markets through research. This can be through either specially commissioned market research and/or
the review of existing research. The assistance is not available for applicant’s travel, and research cannot be undertaken by the applicant’s salaried employees, or by subsidiary/associate/parent companies’
employees or by immediate family members or by anyone with pecuniary interest in the project.

(ii) Exploration Visits (maximumF$5,000 within the region and F$8,000 outside the region) - the aim of this component is to encourage applicants to explore opportunities for their goods and/or services in target markets. Applications for this component must include evidence of research that was conducted on the market that will be visited, and a confirmed schedule of meetings with prospective customers.
The report should include the outcomes of the meetings. The assistance should cover the cost of airfare and per diem for one (1) person.

(iii) Exhibition/Conference Participation (maximum F$5,000 within the region and F$8,000 outside the region) – this component allows the applicants to participate at exhibitions and/or conferences where they can promote their products and network with prospective buyers. The assistance should cover the cost of airfare and per diem for maximum of one (1) person, and up to 60% of airfreight charges.

(iv) Promotional Material (maximum F$5,000) – material such as brochures, posters, advertisements and websites are crucial to the promotion of a product. This component provides the means for the applicants to produce promotional material. The assistance should cover the cost of design, layout and printing, and is offered for new material (no reprints) and as one time only. The following acknowledgement statement should be included in all printed material that is produced under the MSF, “Assistance for this project was provided by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.” Reports for this
component should include four (4) copies of the printed material.

4. Criteria
In order for a business/enterprise to be eligible for the MSF assistance they should:
(i) Be registered and conducting business in one of the fourteen (14) Forum Island Countries;
(ii) Have been trading for not less than twelve (12) months; and
(iii) Not have been assisted under the MSF within 24 months from the time of the current application, i.e. applicants can only reapply after a period of two (2) years from when they were first assisted.

5. Procedures
The MSF grants are offered on a reimbursement basis, with payment made after a comprehensive report and original receipts of expenses are received by the Secretariat by the given deadline. All applications for the MSF are required to be appraised and endorsed by a competent trade official or similar entity (e.g. Line Ministry, Trade & Investment Board, Investment Promotion Unit, Chamber of Commerce or relevant NGO), and then channeled through the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s official contact which in most cases is the Ministry of Foreign or External Affairs, and in some, the Prime Ministers Office.
The requests should give details of the project, e.g. objective, scope and description of the project, background of the consultant in the case of Market Research, and expected benefits. Requests need to be submitted to the Secretariat at least two weeks before the commencement of the activity.

6. Funding request
The requests should give the following details:
• Title: Title of the project
• Objective: Objective(s) of the project and how it fits in with your business strategies, and the relevant
government department/ministry programme or development plan (where available) of your country, and the Economic Growth pillar of the Pacific Plan (see Section 1)
• Background: Description of your business; the main activities and constraints within your industry and how this project will address them.
• Marketing & Promotion:
Provide details of current marketing and promotional strategies and how this project will add value to your overall business objectives.
• Project Description: Provide full description of the project including dates and location.
• Project Cost: Provide detailed breakdown of the cost of project. Where travel is included, provide a copy of confirmed flight itinerary with airfare, cost of airfreight (if applicable), fees (if applicable) and estimate of per diems.
Note – failure to provide the above detailed costs will delay the assessment and approval process
• Implementing Organisation/Enterprise: The name of the Organisation/Enterprise that will be
responsible for project implementation. The name, title, phone/fax number and email of the person responsible.
• Expected Benefits: Describe the benefits that are expected from the project, and how the
organisation/business intends to ensure their sustainability in the medium to long term.
• Payment: Provide the Organisation/Enterprise’s bank details for reimbursement after the completionof the project.

7. Reporting/ Reimbursement
Upon completion of the project, the applicant is required to submit a report to the Secretariat using the MSF Report Template, by the given deadline. Submission for reimbursement should include the report and original receipts of all expenses incurred. Please see Section 3 under the relevant component for further required reporting details.

8. Information
For further information please:
a) Contact the PIFS Official Contact in your country which is usually the Secretary for Foreign Affairs or External Affairs or the Prime Ministers Office; or
b) Write directly to The Development Cooperation Adviser, Enabling Mechanism, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji, or Fax (679) 3305880, or Phone (679) 3312600 or E-mail: info@forumsec.org.fj

Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s Industrial Development and Training
Project (IDTP)
1. Background
The Industrial Development Training Project (IDTP) was established to support small and medium industrial enterprises (SMEs) in Forum Island Countries (FICs) through short-term advisory services and training attachments preferably within the Pacific to address the capacity building needs of the region’s SMEs.

2. Objective
To facilitate the development of the private sector through technical advisory services and/or practical hands-on training attachments, thus contributing to improved skills, operations and technologies, product development, leading to enhanced competitiveness. These would be consistent with the key goals of the Pacific Plan relating to Economic Growth, Sustainable Development, Good Governance and Security.

3. Type of Assistance
IDTP offers maximum grants of FJ$5,000 per company each year to cover economy class return airfares, contractual obligations, training fees and adequate living allowances, to facilitate the following engagements:
a) Engagement of experts to provide advisory services and training assistance to SMEs; and,
b) Short-term hands-on training attachments for key personnel with more established SMEs or relevant institutions.

4. Duration
The duration of training attachments and advisory services under IDTP would be up to two (2) weeks.

5. How Requests are Channelled?
5.1 All applications for IDTP are required to be appraised and endorsed by a competent business development official or similar entity (e.g. Line Ministry, Trade & Investment Board, National Private Sector Organisation, Chamber of Commerce etc), and then channelled through the Forum Secretariat’s official contact which in most cases is the Ministries of Foreign or External Affairs and in some, the Prime Ministers Office.

5.2 To avoid unnecessary delays, requests have to be submitted in the approved format as described in paragraph 6. To allow enough time to analyse requests they must be received at least 15 working days before the proposed commencement date of the proposed attachment/assistance and six working weeks for a proposed consultancy;

5.3 Additional information may be requested by the Secretariat from the implementing agency and must be received within 5 working days of the date of the ’Secretariats letter. Failing this, requests will be forfeited unless the Secretariat is advised of any delays anticipated in writing at least three (3) working days before the specified due date;

5.4 To fast track the process, the Secretariat will make available copies of relevant correspondences related to a specific request to implementing agencies if known or different from the Secretariat’s Official Contact in country.

5.5 Upon approval, airfares and training fees will be paid directly to suppliers whilst consultancy fees will be settled in accordance with the TOR. Per diems will be paid out on a reimbursement basis following the Secretariat’s receipt of the training report.

6. Funding request
The requests should give the following details:
• Title: Title of the project
• Objective: Objective(s) of the project and how it fits in with the relevant government  department/ministry programme or development plan (where available) and the key initiatives of the Pacific Plan particularly under:
1. Economic Growth;
2. Sustainable Development;
3. Good Governance; and
4. Security.
• Background: Description of the sector, the constraints within the sector and the problem(s) or issue(s) the project will address.
• Project Description: Description of the project, background of the Consultant in the case of advisory
services and of the host institution or company where training attachments are involved. Consultants’ TORs and confirmatory letters from host institutions are also required.
• Implementing Agency:
Organisation/Business that will be responsible for project implementation. The name, title, phone and fax numbers and email address of the person responsible should be given.
• Counterpart Agency:
Company/Institution/Consultant that will be hosting the training attachment or providing advisory  services. The name, title and phone and fax number s and email address of the person responsible should be given. Copies of the approvals and/or Terms of Reference for the services to be provided should be
attached.
• Expected Benefits: Describe the benefits that are expected from the activity, and how the organisation/business intends to implement lessons learnt for the improvement of SMEs as well as to ensure their sustainability.

7. Reporting
The applicant is required to submit a report on the project, together with copies of air tickets, hotel receipts and related invoices, to the Secretariat within two weeks of its completion. The report should focus on lessons learnt and how the project will benefit the organisation/business, problems faced
during the training and suggestions for improvement and, other pertinent issues.

8. Information
For further information please:
a) Contact the PIFS Official Contact in your country which is usually the Secretary for Foreign Affairs or
External Affairs or the Prime Ministers Office; or b) Write directly to The Development Cooperation Adviser, Enabling Mechanism, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji, or
Fax (679) 3305880, or Phone (679) 3312600 or E-mail: info@forumsec.org.fj.

Short term Advisory
Service (STAS)

1. Background
The Programme has been in operation for several years with an utilisation rate of some 90% annually. The STAS supports the Forum Secretariats’ other efforts to provide technical assistance to member countries through its policy advise and other short-term assistance schemes. The Programme supports member
countries in the implementation or the formulation of economic development activities.

2. Objective:
The objective of STAS is to provide a regional source of small, quick response consultancies to assist the Forum Island Countries in meeting priority economic development needs as they arise and where such assistance cannot be effectively provided through alternate sources.

3. Areas of coverage:
STAS assistance covers a wide range of development related areas that are within the Secretariat's mandate with special focus on the key initiatives of the Pacific Plan particularly under:
• Economic Growth;
• Sustainable Development;
• Good Governance; and
• Security
Priority will be given to projects to which the requesting country is willing to contribute financially.

4. Type of Assistance:
Assistance available under STAS in respect of consultancies includes:
a) A return economy class airfare by the most direct route. The Secretariat organises travel and  ispatches a PTA;
b) Daily per diem at the Secretariat rates calculated on the basis of the PTA; Fellowships will be awarded to a maximum of two persons per country per award/attachment. No new fellowships will be approved and awarded to countries unless an exiting
5. Duration:
STAS assistance is limited to a period of no more than six weeks.
6. How requests are channelled:
6.1 All requests for STAS assistance are required to be channelled through the Forum Secretariat official contacts which in most cases the Ministries of Foreign/External Affairs. In some countries it is the Prime Ministers Office.
6.2 To avoid unnecessary delays, requests have to be submitted in the approved format as described in paragraph 8. To allow enough time to analyse requests they must be received at least four (4) weeks before the proposed commencement date of the proposed consultancy;
6.3 Additional information may be requested by the Secretariat from the implementing agency and must be received within 5 working days of the date of the Secretariat’s letter. Failing this, requests will be forfeited unless the Secretariat is advised of any delays anticipated in writing at least three (3) working days before the specified due date;
6.4 To fast track the process, the Secretariat will make available copies of relevant correspondences related to a specific request to implementing agencies if known or different from the Secretariat’s Official Contact in country.

7. Selection of consultants:
The Forum Secretariat encourages competitive bidding for jobs funded under STAS. In that context at least three candidates are required to bid for any one job. In the event a country specifically requests the service of a particular candidate, it is important that reasons for such choice should be clearly presented. STAS assistance requires the consultant to enter into an agreement with the Secretariat for the purpose of carrying out the work.

8. Funding Requests:
Requests are required to include as much detail as possible. They should include:
• Title: Name of project
• Background: How the
project came about and its rationale, its relationship to government policies and national priorities, who initiated the proposal - is it a truly local initiative
• Objective: What the project sets out to achieve and how it fits in with the relevant government department/ministry programme or development plan (where available) and the key initiatives of the Pacific Plan particularly under:
• Economic Growth;
• Sustainable Development;
• Good Governance; and
• Security
• Activities: How the project is intended to be carried out.
• Benefits: Who benefits? How many and in what way.
• Cost: Breakdown of cost.
• Timing: Duration and the expected commencement date.

9. The request should include terms of reference. The terms of reference should have the objective, background, activities to be carried out and a timetable of when the work is expected to start and finish.

10. Reporting:
For each consultancy the consultant is required to submit a report. The report is required to be endorsed by the recipient country and accepted by the Secretariat before financial obligations can be settled. The report should have the following:
* Executive summary (two pages maximum)
* Contents page listing the main headings and sub-headings with page numbers for ease of reference.
* Introduction Objective as per TOR; Methodology of how the work was carried out;  Interviews/discussions/survey/questionnaire; List of people interviewed during the course of the exercise
* Analysis/Description/Results of activities performed
* Conclusions - Summary of key findings
* Recommendations – These should be detailed and have practical application
* References - List of materials drawn upon during the course of the exercise.

11. Information:
For further information please:
a) Contact the PIFS Official Contact in your country which is usually the Secretary for Foreign Affairs or External Affairs or the Prime Ministers Office; or b) Write directly to The Development Cooperation Adviser, Enabling Mechanism Unit, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji, or Fax (679) 3305880, or Phone (679) 3312600 or E-mail: info@forumsec.org.fj

Forum Secretariat Fellowship Scheme (FSFS)

1. Background
The Secretariat’s recognition of the lack of trained personnel as one of the basic constraints to development in the South Pacific, led to the establishment of the Fellowship Scheme in 1977. This challenge in the region was further recognised during development of the Pacific Plan to strengthen regional cooperation and integration. In endorsing the Plan in October 2005, Pacific Leaders prioritised an initiative to establish volunteer and other forms of regional exchanges and sharing of services and expertise for regional capacity building. The Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Fellowship Scheme (FSFS) is an existing mechanism which will be strengthened to help build on the pooling of regional expertise called for under the Pacific Plan.

2. Objective
To facilitate economic development through the provision of effective short-term training attachments in a range of technical and income generating fields that are consistent with key initiatives of the Pacific Plan, particularly under:
• Economic Growth;
• Sustainable Development;
• Good Governance; and
• Security.

3. Areas of Coverage
The attachment involves a trainee being placed over a period of time with a counterpart, doing similar work. This would allow the trainee to acquire the skills through actual practice and experience. The awards are for practical training and do not include familiarization visits. The attachments could be undertaken in all Forum countries and Pacific French territories. Trainees funded under the Forum Fellowship Scheme cannot be awarded another fellowship within twelve months after completion of his/her training under his/her first award under the Scheme. No new fellowships are to be approved and awarded to countries with outstanding training reports.

4. Type of Assistance
Assistance under FSFS includes:
a) A return economy class airfare by the most direct route. The Secretariat organises travel and  dispatches a PTA; and
b) Daily per diem (60% of the Secretariat per diem rates for the place of training) to cover accommodation, meals and transport costs. Fellowships will be awarded to a maximum of two persons per country per award/attachment. No new fellowships will be approved and awarded to countries unless an exiting training has been completed and reports submitted.

5. Duration
The scheme allows the attachment for a period of no more than three months.

6. How Requests are channelled
6.1 All requests are required to be channelled through the Forum Secretariat’s official contacts which in most cases the Ministries of Foreign or External Affairs, and in some the Prime Ministers Office.
6.2 To avoid unnecessary delays, requests have to be submitted in the approved format as described in paragraph 7. To allow enough time to analyse requests, they must be received at least four (4) weeks before the proposed commencement date of the proposed training attachment;
6.3 Additional information may be requested by the Secretariat from the implementing agency and must be received within 5 working days of the date of the Secretariat’s letter. Failing this, requests will be forfeited unless the Secretariat is advised of any delays anticipated in writing at least three (3) working days before the specified due date:
6.4 To fast-track the process, the Secretariat will make available copies of relevant correspondences  related to a specific request to implementing agencies if known or different from the Secretariat’s Official Contact in country.

7. Funding request
All requests should cover the following details:
• Title: Title of the Training Attachment
• Objective: Objective(s) of the Training Attachment and how it fits in with the relevant government
department/ministry programme or development plan (where available) and the key initiatives of the Pacific Plan particularly under:
a) Economic Growth;
b) Sustainable Development;
c) Good Governance; and
d) Security.
• Background: Description of the sector, the constraints within the sector and the problem(s) or issue(s) the Training Attachment will address.
• Project Description: Description of the training required, training organisation/institution
• Implementing Agency:
Department/Organisation that will be responsible for the Exchange. The name, title and phone number of the officer responsible should be given.
• Counterpart Agency: Name of Department/Organisation that will be responsible for providing the training, if handled by the applicant please attach a copy of the agencies’ confirmation letter that they will host the trainee for the proposed period and a copy of the training programme. [PIFS will assist in
identifying appropriate agencies for training attachments and provide contacts where necessary]
• Expected Benefits: from training
• How will the Attachment benefit the implementing Agency:

8. Reporting
Every trainee will be required to conduct/prepare a seminar to their implementing agency on the benefits of the training attachment. Following this seminar, every trainee is required to submit a report, within 6 weeks upon return to home country, on the training and seminar to the Secretariat at the completion of the attachment and home country seminar. The report should focus on how the training has benefited the
trainee and any other related issues.

9. Information
For further information please:
(a) contact the PIFS Official Contact  in your country which is usually the Secretary for Foreign Affairs or External Affairs or the Prime Ministers Officer ; or
(b) write directly to The Development Cooperation Adviser, Enabling Mechanism, Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji, or Fax (679) 330 5880, or Phone 331 2600 or E-mail: info@forumsec.org.fj

Fiji New Zealand Business Scheme

Business Training Fund
The New Zealand Government through the Fiji/New Zealand Business Council provides assistance to the Fiji private sector to access training opportunities for their staff. The programme aims to fund training assistance and opportunities for the staff/management of private sector (business) organisations that will:
• Help existing businesses improve their performance in a more competitive environment; or
• Assist industry wide training

Who is eligible for assistance?
Assistance will be provided to the entire spectrum of private sector organisations (business and industry groups) who are aiming to improve business or industry performance and output. Priority will be given to small enterprises that might not normally have the resources to fund training, or to industry-wide initiatives. Industry groups are encouraged to apply. At least 50% of the training opportunities should benefit women in the business community.

What kind of assistance is provided?
Assistance can take the form of:
•  On the job work attachments in New Zealand and/or Fiji;
• In-country training programmes using consultants; and
• Participation in specialist training programmes.
Assistances will cover the costs of travel and course fees, or provision of consultants to undertake training. Living costs for individuals are not included. The Fiji/NZ Business Council, it’s sister agency the NZ/Fiji Business council and the Pacific Islands Trade and Investment Commission can be contacted to assist in finding attachments or consultants.

How to apply?
Application forms are available from the Secretary of the Fiji/NZ Business Council and should be forwarded to the Chairman of the Fiji/NZ Business Council Grants Committee. The address can be
obtained from the New Zealand High Commission or FTIB. The application should include a full description of the type of training required and how it is likely to help the organisation over the long term. A full budget breakdown should also be provided with the application, including estimated costs of consultants, travel, etc. Final payment will be made on the basis of submission of an end of training report and itemised accounts. The report should briefly outline the nature of the training undertaken; the participants involved and comment on how well the objectives of the training were met. It should also provide feedback from the participants as to the value they received from the training and any comments they have on changes that might be made to such training in future. A fully completed application form is a pre-requisite.

Export Enhancement Fund
Fiji and New Zealand have remained important partners over the last 10 years. New Zealand is an  important market for Fiji exports reaching a high of 15.6% of all domestic exports in 1989. Over the last 10 years Fiji’s export to New Zealand have risen from F$8.7m in 1984 to $F39.3m in 1993 – a 352% increase. Notwithstanding this performance there is a desire by Fiji to improve its export penetration of the New Zealand market. The Fiji Government has also adopted a policy of promoting export led growth within a deregulated environment. The general goal of the New Zealand Business Scheme is to improve Fiji’s export performance in terms of the quantity and value of exports with a particular emphasis on the New Zealand market. A more specific objective is to assist the Fiji Private Sector to identify and develop its comparative advantage in the New Zealand market.

Who is eligible for assistance?
The project will provide assistance to potential and existing exporters or industry groups seeking to develop their own marketing or professional capability as outline above. They must however have been operating their business for at least 12 months and have developed an export plan. In their application, they must demonstrate how the EEF will contribute to the success of the plan.

What kind of assistance is provided?
Funding will be provided to support the cost of feasibility studies, consultancies or materials that directly lead to an improvement in overall performance and export opportunity. Funding of individual activities will be provided on a 1 to 1 reimbursable basis. A maximum of $10,000 will be provided to each project or up to 50% of total cost, whichever is less. Activities that will be considered under
the Fund will include:
• Implementation of export plan
• Market research in New Zealand
• Development of packaging/labelling to meet New Zealand market requirements
• Product development, design or quality improvement to meet New Zealand market requirements
• Development of export promotional materials for use in New Zealand market
• Registration of patents or trademarks in New Zealand
• Implementing a branding strategy in New Zealand
• Implementing quality standards
• Any other activity which will result in an improvement in exports to New Zealand

How to apply?
Application Forms are available from the Secretary of the Fiji/NZ business Council and should be  forwarded to the Chairman of the Fiji/NZ Business Council Grant Scheme Committee. The addresses can be obtained from the New Zealand High Commission or FTIB. A fully completed application form is a pre-requisite. Final payment on a dollar for dollar basis (50% contribution) will be made on the basis of submission of a final report and itemised accounts. The report should briefly outline the nature of the export development undertaken, and comment on how well the objectives were met citing actual export figures where available.

Assistance /incentives Available to the Private sector & facilitated by the FTIB
Center for Development of Enterprise (CDE)

The CDE is an ACP/EU institution that is jointly staffed, created in the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and financed by the European Development Fund (EDF). Its objective is to ensure the development of professional Africa, Caribbean & Pacific (ACP) enterprises and organisations in the private sector. The CDE provides rapid, effective support to assist:
• The creation, expansion, diversification and restructuring of ACP enterprises with a perspective of profitability and development impact;
• Improvements in competitiveness;
• Strengthening the capacity of intermediary organizations such as national and regional professional associations, private sector promoting agencies and financial institutions;
• Capacity building to improve the skills and competence of consultants and advisory companies.

CDE Interventions and Methods Of Funding
• Assistance for enterprises – CDE contributes in general up to a maximum of two thirds of the total costs of these different interventions. The maximum contribution to a project in EUROS 100.000 per year; it will primarily be determined by its development impact. The accumulated contribution for successive interventions cannot exceed 20% of the total assets of the annual turnover of the enterprise in question.
• Assistance for ACP intermediary organisations - The Centre’s contribution is determined on a case-by-case basis. Nevertheless, CDE always expects to share the cost with the organisation concerned.
• Assistance for consultants and advisory companies – The Centre’s contribution in this case is limited to two thirds of the total cost of the intervention and a maximum of EUROS 50.000 per year
• In collaboration with other CDE  partners - CDE may carry out studies, in  collaboration with other co-operation organisations, on joint programmes for promotion, investment and assistance to enterprises. In this case, CDE’s participation does not normally exceed a maximum of 50% of the total cost of the intervention.

Beneficiaries
All enterprises during phases of creation, extension, diversification or restructuring.
• Belong to a formal sector;
• Profitable and viable
• Have assets of at least EUROS 80,000 and employ a minimum of 5 people.

Antenna
The Pacific has been divided into three sub-regions namely, Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. The Polynesian subregion antenna is based in Samoa whilst the remaining two sub-regions are serviced from Vanuatu.

PRO € INVEST
What is PRO € INVEST?
PRO € INVEST is an EU (European Union) - ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) partnership programme for the promotion of investment and technology flows in the ACP countries. This is achieved through a two-dimensional approach: to strengthen ACP intermediary organisations and business associations, and to support companies in these countries. PRO € INVEST has been developed and undertaken by the European Commission on behalf of the ACP countries. Its implementation has been entrusted to a Management Unit within the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE) under the supervision of the EuropeAid,
Co-operation Office of the European Commission. PRO € INVEST, which has a budget of 110 million € over a period of 7 years, is financed by the European Development Fund (EDF 8th).

Types of Assistance and Eligibility
PRO € INVEST provides a two dimensional approach.
1. Strengthening the institutional environment for enterprise PRO € INVEST supports and strengthens the work of professional organisations (namely chambers of commerce and industry, employers‘ federations), investment promotion agencies, financial institutions and ACP consultants’ associations whose primary objective is the improvement of the environment for investment. On a cost-sharing basis, these organisations may apply for assistance from PRO € INVEST to develop and optimise their capacities. The proposed Programme activities intended for intermediary organisations include :
• Encourage dialogue between the private sector and the national and regional authorities on the development and implementation of appropriate measures to improve the business environment and facilitate investments.
• Develop and propose appropriate support initiatives so as to improve their capacity to offer services to enterprises.
• Strengthen their expertise in investment promotion and partnership initiatives (facilitate access to new information technologies, improved project management improvements and the organisation on company matching events).

2. Supporting key growth sectors
The Programme facilitates the promotion of investments and the conclusion of partnership agreements between North-South and South-South enterprises in key economic growth sectors.
PRO € INVEST devotes resources to the identification of those sectors with best potential for ACP development and the creation of partnerships; through various initiatives it brings potential partners together and provides follow-up support to enterprises. In the field of investment promotion, PRO € INVEST activities include :
• conducting regional strategic surveys to identify key growth sectors,
• producing sector and sub-sector surveys which will help identify potential partners and their technological know how,

• promoting inter-enterprise cooperation through the organisation of partnership meetings by sector, with the ultimate objective of having Investment and Inter-enterprise Co-operation Agreements signed. Proposals will be tailored to the specific markets,
• providing technical assistance to projects arising from PRO € INVEST partnership initiatives.

How to benefit from PRO € INVEST?
Following requests from IOs and companies and on a cost-sharing basis (PRO € INVEST contribution will be maximum 2/3 of eligible costs) Requests must be addressed to PRO € INVEST Management Unit in Brussels and follow the call for proposals procedure. Applicants can contact either the PRO € INVEST Contact Offices [6] or CDE antennae [7]. PRO € INVEST Web-site: www.proinvesteu.org

Contact Address
PRO € INVEST Management Unit - CDE
Centre for the Development of Enterprise
Avenue Herrmann-Debroux 52
B-1160 Brussels, Belgium
Telephone : +32 2 679 18 50/1
Fax : +32 2 679 18 70
E-Mail : infos@proinvest-eu.org

THE ENTERPRISE CHALLENGE FUND:
Australia challenges business to help reduce poverty in Fiji

17 October 2007
A new initiative for the Fiji private sector to bid for Australian Government-funded grants was launched in Suva on Wednesay, October 17th at the Tanoa Plaza.

The Enterprise Challenge Fund for the Pacific and South East Asia is a new opportunity for businesses to develop commercially-sustainable enterprises whilst contributing to poverty reduction. 

Through open competition, matching grants of between FJ$125,000 to FJ$2 million will be awarded to private sector business projects which improve livelihoods and incomes and which generate better access to vital goods and services for the people of Fiji.  By challenging business to look for new market opportunities, the Enterprise Challenge Fund aims to stimulate growth and to ensure that the financially challenged are included in the resulting benefits.

The Enterprise Challenge Fund will assist the private sector to overcome some of the obstacles they face in developing commercial projects that benefit a wide spectrum of community.  In that context, applicants must show that projects could not be implemented without a grant from the Fund and that commercial funding is unavailable. The Fund is also administered to share risk and applicants must meet at least half the cost of the proposed projects.

The Enterprise Challenge Fund is a FJ$28 million six year pilot program.  Funded through Australias international aid agency, AusAID, and administered by an independent panel, the Fund is based on a successful British model that has supported projects in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, renewable energy and telecommunications.

Examples of success stories under this funding model include the development of a commercial egg industry in the Maldives, a project to turn waste from copper mines into affordable fertilizer for subsistence farmers in Botswana, and a fair trade export label for fruit growers in South Africa.

Fiji is included in the first round of funding, which also covers projects in eastern Indonesia, the southern Philippines and Papua New Guinea. The pilot program will be extended next year to East Timor, the Lao PDR, Cambodia, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands. 

Applications close on 31 December 2007.

Further information about the Enterprise Challenge Fund can be obtained from neil@enterprisechallengefund.org.