VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT IN EAST AFRICA

Theme: “Promotion of Commercially Viable Solutions to Subsector and Business Constraints” 

21^th – 25th November, 2011, Sarova Whitesands, Mombasa, Kenya.  

Introduction

In this era of globalization, generating economic growth in developing countries while reducing poverty is a fundamental development challenge. To ensure that the contribution of microenterprises to key subsectors and national economies is maximized, and to ensure that the poor are not left out of market development, micro and small enterprises (MSEs) need access to finance, business services, and improved inputs; they also need a conducive enabling environment that facilitates rather than inhibits their participation in markets.   To address these development challenges, the BDS Donor Group (BDCG), through its secretariat - Micro Enterprise Support Program Trust (MESPT), has organized a five - day workshop dubbed the7^th BDS Conference (an annual flagship event for the SME sector in the East African Region). The main objective is to enhance the capacity of Value Chain stakeholders managing and coordinating Market Development Programs in the Region and at the same time, enhance the pool of experts knowledgeable in Value Chain analysis and promotion. 

Venue and Dates. 

This year’s event will be held at Sarova Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa, Kenya from 21^st to 25^th November 2011. With its serene and pristine beaches coupled with tranquility and beauty of its sandy coast, the venue guarantees conducive environment for relaxed learning, away from the stressful hustle and bustle of city life. The Conference will take place in two phases. Phase one will be a two - day training workshop starting from Monday, 21^st to Tuesday 22^nd November 2011.  The training will present the latest methodologies and practice for designing value-chain programs that incorporate strategies for sustainable impact. Participants will learn how to design programs that result in market-based solutions to MSME constraints such as market access, input supply, technology/product development, management training, policy reform, and access to finance. Examples will be used from enterprise development programs and practitioners in Kenya and the entire East African region. The training targets those who wish to improve their facilitation skills and design programs that respect the latest thinking in value chain and pro-poor market development principles. It will be facilitated by a team of both locally and internationally renowned Value Chain Trainers who will present latest tools, concepts, and best practices from the field of enterprise development. Phase two, will run for three days starting from Wednesday, 23^rd to Friday 25^th November 2011. This will be a knowledge and information sharing forum for industry leaders, sector experts and policy makers. During the plenary and break out sessions, interactive and engaging discussions on issues touching on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development, mainly in Horticulture, Dairy and Fisheries Sub-sector will be addressed. These will include among others; Product Development, Value Addition, Business Environment, Marketing and Value Chain Financing.  The Conference  targets private and public organizations, Non Governmental Organizations, Financial Services Providers,  Value Chain Facilitators and Practitioners, Policy Makers, Producers and Individuals whose vision for microenterprise development involves addressing the needs of Value Chain Players within the context of globalization, dynamic domestic and global markets, in order to help them harness the resources they need  to participate meaningfully  and take advantage of markets opportunities.