Actions for a competitive Bavet (2022-2023)

I was team leader of a small team pulled together by ICF on behalf of the Asian Development Bank to undertake an assessment of the competitiveness of Bavet, a city in Cambodia on the border with Vietnam and, crucially, on a designated economic corridor linking Ho Chi Minh City with Phnom Penh and Bangkok and on to Yangon. It had done exceptionally well in attracting inward investment - helped by the existence of several special economic zones - but had done rather less well in stimulating spillover into the local economy and building the supply chain. This work was part of ADB's priority Making Cities More Livable. Initially, we prepared and presented an Urban Status Assessment (copy available on request) and then followed up with the preparation of a Competitive City Action Plan (available here in English - a version in Khmer is available on request) which we presented to key stakeholders in both Phnom Penh and Bavet. The recommendations were broadly accepted and it is hoped that ADB will be able to faciliate further support to enable the city and other stakeholders to implement the recommendations.

Building a competitive & vibrant private sector in Sudan (2023-2024)

I was commissioned by the International Trade Centre to prepare a paper that might provide ideas for a foundation for a formal private sector export development policy to be discussed by the organised private sector and the government when conditions allow. The paper assesses the potential opportunities and makes 20 recommendations for specific actions that could be undertaken by business and trade associations acting collecting or individually as well as recommendations for activities that would require partnership with government. The paper was then presented in a webinar to business and trade associations, many of which have moved to Cairo whilst the conflict continues.

BMO member business development in Myanmar (2023-2024)

The International Trade Centre undertook a survey (using questions that I provided) of business and trade associations in Myanmar to map their reach and activities. This was followed by work directly with selected trade associations to identify trade constraints and to highlight barriers and priorities for action and to suggest possible mitigating actions. Given the inability, currently, of associations to influence public policy, it was concluded greater impact could be achieved through working with selected trade associations to prepare 'member development' strategies, that is, strategies through which the associations could help businesses in general and their members in particular to grow and to engage in more international trade. Associations were subsequently invited to participate in a training programme - with four modules delivered by me over a period of four weeks - to raise their awareness, knowledge and skills to equip them both to prepare and implement member development strategies. Between sessions, associations undertook assignments designed to prepared chapters of their member development strategy. Following the training, ITC facilitated me to deliver further coaching and mentoring as associations continued to refine their strategies and explore how to secure the resources so that they can implement those strategies as well.

Role of and opportunities for employers’ organisations in advancement of AfCFTA (2022)

Business Africa Employers’ Confederation (BUSINESSAfrica) seeks to influence public policy at a continental level and in international bodies such as the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for Africa, the ILO Regional Office for Africa and the African Development Bank. BUSINESSAfrica stresses the importance of representing businesses in a co-ordinated way; it is especially keen to strengthen regional integration in order to boost intra-African trade.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a major initiative of the African Union, agreed in 2015 though its implementation is only starting now. BUSINESSAfrica was keen to explore the role that could be played by employers’ organisation and other business membership organisations in the further negotiations and implementation of the AfCFTA. This required an assessment of the state of negotiations, an exploration of all the mechanisms through which the social partners could engage in dialogue, a review of the institutional framework of labour legislation and an assessment of the implications for business. IGA and Zubi Consulting, based in Kenya, were commissioned to undertake this research and to make recommendations

Entrepreneurial ecosystem in Mozambique (2019)

In 2020 and early 2021, working with IMC Worldwide, David was team leader for a project in Mozambique intended to assist the Wolrd Bank to understand the small business ecosystem and the availability of support for small and growing businesses, as they explored the scope for implementing a business plan competition in partnership with the Government of Mozambique intended to help firms to grow and, in particular, to create new jobs. This research was severely interrupted by the covid19 health crisis and the team was diverted to undertake a different survey to assess the impact of covid on businesses in Mozambique.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nepal (2019)

In 2019, working with IMC Worldwide and two consultancies in Nepal, David was team leader for a project intended to assist the World Bank to understand the small business ecosystem and the availability of support for small and growing businesses, as they aimed to put together a programme with the Government of Nepal intended to help firms to grow and, in particular, to create new jobs. The report is available on the World Bank website.

Constraints facing women cross-border traders

In 2017, working with Saana, David prepared a survey for use by the World Bank intended to survey women traders in some 40 countries to identify the constraints and barriers that they face. The survey was prepared, and then tested thruogh focus groups in Malawi and Zambia, and then tested further through undertaking a pilot survey in Kenya.