Bolivia, June 1, 2010
—IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and four partners have launched Business Edge, an innovative and interactive program specifically developed for owners and managers of small and medium enterprises, to help strengthen managerial skills in Bolivia.
IFC Business Edge offers practical solutions to support growth and improve competitiveness of small and medium businesses, providing useful tools that can be applied in daily work. It does so in Bolivia through the use of high-quality materials adapted to local market characteristics and needs. The program focuses on five themes: finance and accountancy, general and operations management, marketing, human resources, and personal productivity skills.
The program will be available to smaller enterprises starting June 2010, and offered by four certified partners—BestPractices International, the National Chamber of Commerce, the Universidad Católica Boliviana, and Nueva Empresa PYMEs.
“We are pleased to partner with local well-regarded institutions to strengthen SME performance and productivity, which will help create work opportunities and make small business contributions to the local economy more sustainable,” said IFC Representative Elvira Van Daele. “IFC’s Business Edge initiative is a key part of our efforts to support the sustainability of Bolivia’s private sector.”
Business owners and entrepreneurs had three trial sessions recently, two in La Paz and one in Santa Cruz, where they experienced the efficiency and practical focus of the IFC Business Edge program. More than 150 small and medium enterprises experienced the program’s added value.
IFC’s strategy in Bolivia focuses on priority areas that can increase economic growth rates and reduce poverty and inequality. Since Bolivia became a member of IFC in 1956, IFC has invested $518 million in the country’s private sector. Through its advisory services, IFC aims to improve the overall business climate, promoting the simplification of red tape and creating development opportunities for small and medium enterprises.
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, creates opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We foster sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting private sector development, mobilizing capital for private enterprise, and providing advisory and risk mitigation services to businesses and governments. Our new investments totaled $14.5 billion in fiscal 2009, helping channel capital into developing countries during the financial crisis. For more information, visit
www.ifc.org
.
