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September 25, 2003
Romanian Business Association Development Project Heralded by
Private Sector and Government Officials
The Center for International Private Enterprise (C.I.P.E.) hosted a conference today to announce the results of the Romanian Business Association Development Project. The project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development and implemented by CIPE, concludes its three-year term on September 30. Conference speakers applauded the success of the project in many areas, but focused on the following results:
- Membership in Romanian business associations rose by 34.3% in three years, exceeding the project target by more than 10%.
- Romanian business associations forwarded 42 public policy advocacy proposals to the Government of Romania in three years, exceeding the project target by more than 50%.
- Romanian business associations initiated 28 joint venture, import-export transactions, and technology transfers that created over 400 jobs and generated investment of more than $1.2 million. This exceeds the project target by more than 30%.
- Over 128 business association executives were trained in advocacy and trade promotion. This exceeds the project target by more than 38%.
- More than $320,000 was distributed to business associations under three different grant programs.
- More than 28 business associations achieved financial sustainability over the last three years, when compared to an international best practices model. This exceeds the project target by more than 20%.
According to Senator Simona Marinescu, the project greatly enhanced dialogue between the private sector and government. “Thanks to this project, the business associations established a collaborative relationship with government that allows for open dialogue and transparent interaction,” said Senator Marinescu. Rodger Garner, Mission Director for USAID, also commended the business associations for their accomplishments but reminded them that the work is not done. “USAID's assistance will continue through programs like GRASP and the MSME project,” he said. “These programs will build on the foundation established by CIPE and will allow business associations to rise to the next level in their support of private sector development.”
Gheorghe Serban, representing the Association of Internet Service Providers, was one of many business association representatives who praised the project's accomplishments. “From the standpoint of the information technology sector, this project was invaluable in that it provided us technical assistance, but a new way of thinking.”
Click here for an overview of the project.
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