:: SCALE OF EXPENDITURE ::
The OPSR has been implementing the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the past three and a half years. Funding has come from the European Union in the form of Stabex 96/97 and SFA 2001 resources, to the tune of 4.5 and 4.7 million dollars respectively.
PSDP Expenditure over the lifespan of the SFA 2001 Work Programme was $3,517,562 and $3,797,987, under the Stabex 1996/1997 Programme.
While both the Stabex and SFA Work Programmes carried out the broad mandate of the PSDP, each Programme had its specific target areas. The SFA Programme offered assistance in the areas of Information Technology, Nature Heritage/Eco and General Tourism and Training. The Stabex Programme offered a wider scope of assistance to a more diversified group of economic activities. Assistance under this Programme was in the form of the Business Upgrading Project Cycle (BUPC) which consisted of a Diagnostic Study, Business Plan Design and Business Plan Implementation. It also afforded assistance to Groups of Firms and Business Associations.
On the right is a list of expenditure under the various headings for each of the two work programs for the period April 2005 to September 2006, representing the last year and a half of the implementation of the PSDP.
Under the PSDP, assistance was available to the individual, as well
as groups of firms Private Sector to upgrade their businesses under
the 3 –stage BUPC. This was handled by the Direct Business Support
Services Division of the OPSR, headed by Mr. Kelly Joseph.
Assistance was also available to the Public Sector for institutional support and capacity building. Additionally assistance was provided
for Policy and Legislative improvements aimed at improving the
quality of interaction between the Private and Public Sectors. This
stream of assistance was handled by the Business Environment
Enhancement Division, headed by Mr. Anthony Greene.
The OPSR has now started a new chapter in the PSDP, this time
under the SFA 2002 Programme Estimate. The DBSS component
of this new Programme will provide continued support for the BUPC
as well as other areas such as benchmarking initiatives and
development assistance for small and medium sized enterprises.
Assistance will also be provided at the level of Business Associations
to assist them with product and market development, human
resource development and assistance with the formulation of
strategic alliances and business co-operation agreements.
The Public Sector will also benefit from the SFA 2002 Programme
Estimate. Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening assistance
will be provided with the aim of improving the capability of the Public
Sector agencies to meet the needs of its clientele and improving the
quality of the dialogue between themselves and the private sector.
Assistance will also be afforded the Public Sector for Policy and
Legislative improvements to enable the development of a policy
environment and supporting initiatives to encourage joint ventures
and guide the overall interaction with the private sector.
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