Canadian Trade and Investment Facility for Development (C-TIF)

Building the Global Village

by

Project Name: Trade and SMEs Capacity Building in Afghanistan
Beneficiary Organization: Center for Good Governance, Gender Analysis, Applied Social Research, Public Administration, and Development (GRAD)
Implementing Partner: Rideau Potomac Strategy Group
Location: Afghanistan
Start Date:
End Date:
Amount of Technical Assistance: CAD 209,795

Project Description

This project is a technical support package aiming to increase the capacity of private sector enterprises, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), trade associations, and government counterparts in Afghanistan to reinstitute trade links with the neighboring countries through implementing Afghanistan’s National Export Strategy and developing a practical regional trade policy. The Center for Good Governance, Gender Analysis, Applied Social Research, Public Administration, and Development (GRAD) is the main beneficiary of the project who will then provide training to the relevant stakeholders.
By the end of the project, key training and technical assistance will have built the capacity of GRAD to design and deliver professional training courses in business management systems, business value chain assessment, and marketing. Expected results include:
  • GRAD to offer a Professional Diploma in Economics of Regional Trade that meets academic and professional international standards;
  • Increased capacity of civil society organizations and individual firms (especially women-led businesses) to engage with government institutions on sustainable trade, infrastructure, and investment issues;
  • Increased capacity of civil society organizations, and individual firms (especially women-led businesses), to support their constituencies in areas such as business growth, women’s economic empowerment, market access, access to finance, and responsible business conduct.

Problem being addressed by CTIF

The private sector in Afghanistan lacks technical capacity and strategic interest to take advantage of government policies seeking to foster an enabling business environment. The project addresses this problem by strengthening relations between the government and businesses, and building the capacity of these stakeholders to better implement and leverage trade policies.

Policy issues being addressed by CTIF

The project supports the realisation of two policy priorities of the Government of Afghanistan:
  • Afghanistan’s National Export Strategy
  • Regional Trade Policy

Development dimension

This project will increase the capacity of women-led businesses to benefit from trade through an improved business environment providing them with market access and access to finance resulting in their economic empowerment.