Norwegian Ministry of Foreign AffairsNorwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs US Agency for International US Agency for International

DevelopmentDevelopment 3 year project began in December 20073 year project began in December 2007

Improve the competitiveness of small and Improve the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in target industriesmedium enterprises (SMEs) in target industries

Generate more successful SMEs, more and Generate more successful SMEs, more and better jobs, higher revenues and incomes better jobs, higher revenues and incomes

Exports, jobs, incomes, SMEs

BiH Agribusinesses Face Opportunities…BiH Agribusinesses Face Opportunities…and Challengesand Challenges

Fresh fruit market value could grow by 50%Fresh fruit market value could grow by 50% From €From €210 million today to 210 million today to €€350 million350 million

There has been greater investment in production There has been greater investment in production BiH can offer competitive productsBiH can offer competitive products

High quality produceHigh quality produce Products available in “off-season”Products available in “off-season”

Yet oYet only 2-3% of production is exportednly 2-3% of production is exported only ~ 0.27% of total fruit and vegetable production exported to EUonly ~ 0.27% of total fruit and vegetable production exported to EU

Only 8 companies are GlobalGap certifiedOnly 8 companies are GlobalGap certified Companies lack access to key production information, market Companies lack access to key production information, market

knowledge, new production techniques, etc.knowledge, new production techniques, etc.

Agribusiness e-BIZ Centre: Agribusiness e-BIZ Centre:

Mission: Provide ICT-facilitated services that Mission: Provide ICT-facilitated services that significantly improve the competitiveness of BiH significantly improve the competitiveness of BiH agribusinessesagribusinesses

Provides Provides demand-drivendemand-driven services services Responsive to customer needs Agile in the marketplace

Owner: El Pak doo Co-investment commitment: ~50% of total cost Grand Opening: Spring 2009 Marketing has already begun!

MembershipsMemberships 3 Tier fee structure with different services3 Tier fee structure with different services

InformationInformation Referral servicesReferral services Small ads and marketplaceSmall ads and marketplace Online marketingOnline marketing Detailed target market intelligenceDetailed target market intelligence

““A la carte” fee-based servicesA la carte” fee-based services Online agent services Online advertising Event/training organizing and promotion Technical expertise

Revenue ModelRevenue Model

Target MarketTarget Market Producers and suppliers across the value chainProducers and suppliers across the value chain

FarmersFarmers CooperativesCooperatives AssociationsAssociations ProcessorsProcessors ExportersExporters WholesalersWholesalers Input and equipment suppliersInput and equipment suppliers Service providers Service providers SupermarketsSupermarkets Financial Services Institutions, e.g., banks and MCOsFinancial Services Institutions, e.g., banks and MCOs Government institutionsGovernment institutions

ServicesServices

Agro Link offers what no other BiH organization provides: Fast, easy access to accurate information

E.g., market prices, weather, credit sources, subsidies, credit sources, subsidies, detailed target market infodetailed target market info

Comparison information about input suppliers Special “member” discounts

““Referrals advertising” for suppliers and service providersReferrals advertising” for suppliers and service providers E.g., equipment/input vendors, professional services, E.g., equipment/input vendors, professional services,

transportation, etc.transportation, etc. Effective market promotion in BiH and international marketsEffective market promotion in BiH and international markets Online services to international buyers for specific produceOnline services to international buyers for specific produce Timely, high quality expert response to questions and problems Easy-to-use guidelines, e.g., packaging requirements, packaging requirements,

certification requirements, rcertification requirements, regulatory and legislation information

More competitive More competitive SMEs SMEs SMEs compete in SMEs compete in higher value-added marketshigher value-added markets SME SME customers report Agrolink services improved their customers report Agrolink services improved their

businessesbusinesses Agro Link is self-sustainable and Agro Link is self-sustainable and provides services beyond provides services beyond

the end of the projectthe end of the project Links with universities Links with universities contribute to workforce contribute to workforce

development development