EU funded project for Small and Medium Enterprises in Agriculture to provide strategic advice to 16 Ukrainian enterprises

September 1, 2005.

    *** Project “Improvement of logistic services and marketing channels for SMEs in agriculture” is pleased to announce the successful completion of selection process to choose agricultural SMEs producing fruits and vegetables for participation in the project.
    The project team will provide strategic advice to 16 agricultural private Ukrainian enterprises. This will result in real improvement in the performance of supported enterprises, measurable through objective indicators such as enhanced productivity, improved marketing and logistics functions, operational supply chains of fresh produce, etc. Full details of the participating enterprises are available on our website www.agrilogistics.com.ua.
    During the period of May through August 2005 the project experts have been visiting agricultural SMEs, private farms and small household plots producing fruits and vegetables in the regions of project operations. In total 110 enterprises were visited each of which representing various levels of operation and development. The following main selection criteria were utilized in the selection process: relevance of an enterprise to the project scope and timeframes, level of enterprise management commitment, enterprise potential for success (within the timeframe of the project).
    Next step will be organization of kick off workshops for selected participants in each of the Project regions to set out the rules of cooperation, vision and strategy of future work. A practical work plan will be developed for each of the enterprises which will be implemented during the project term.
    Practical work with each enterprise will commence in September 2005 and will be finished by December 2006. Within this framework the project team will generate success stories and successful case studies to demonstrate real and measurable results achieved at each enterprise.
    The project will also provide a free training programme which will take place from October through December 2005. The 4 main topics will be covered: marketing, logistics, business planning and finance management. All training will be open to any interested individuals. Selected companies will also en! joy trai ning programme tailored specifically for each individual enterprise.
    The Ministry of Agrarian Policy of the Ukraine and the Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine initiated the Project “Improvement of Logistic Services and Marketing Channels for SMEs in Agriculture” which was designed by the European Union’s Technical Assistance Programme.
    The project, which is managed by a Scanagri Sweden led consortium, was initiated in March 2005. Work will focus on an increase of incomes to household producers and agro-food producers SMEs, improvement of the social and economic welfare of the rural population and contribution to the privatization process in agriculture, promotion of the rationalisation of marketing channels and help to stabilise the interests of market participants.