Economic Diversification of the Sugar-Producing Region – Development of the SME/SMI Sectors and Artisanat

Given its status as sugar-exporting country, Congo benefitted until 2009 from the special trade regime on the European market, established by the Sugar Protocol signed between the EU and ACP sugar-producing countries. This regime ended on 31 September 2009 with the EU sugar sector reform and WTO ruling. Congo therefore benefitted since 2007 from the Accompanying Measures in favour of ACP signatories of the Sugar Protocol. This support was based on a strategy declined in 4 axes: • Opening up the sugar area (cross-cutting axis) • Reinforcing competitiveness of the sugar industry • Reinforcing regional integration in the CEMAC region • Diversifying the economic fabric of the sugar region In the framework of this fourth axis, this feasibility study was undertaken on the possibilities to develop the SME, SMI and crafts sectors. To do so, it consisted in the provision for investors of a bank of projects suitable for SMEs/SMIs and crafts in the sugar-producing department of Bouenza.


Project Details
Country CONGO
Start date 2012.04.17
End date 2013.03.29
Client EC Delegation
Sector RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Sub-sector Channels analysis - Promotion
Ref. ADE A423-185