Private Sector Development
Approach
Altai Consulting has been involved in the different dimensions of Private Sector Development in post-conflict environments through a large set of missions. This includes the assessment of obstacles to private sector growth (Investment Climate Surveys & Doing Business), the assessment of business practices and mindsets, as well as specific market sector assessments in order to trigger investment, product development, export, job creation, etc.
Format
Cross-donor review, indicator monitoring, enterprise surveys, value chain analysis, market sector assessments, etc.
Examples
Value chain analysis of 13 sectors of the Afghan economy, for USAID/ASMED – 2007 & 2008
ASMED has contracted Altai Consulting to conduct value chain analyses, draft business plans and make recommendations regarding how to create opportunities for Afghan and foreign investors in the following sectors: milk, yoghurt, flour, industrial bread, edible oil, cakes, candies, gemstones, cashmere, renewable energy, energy efficiency, metalwork and retail. Over the course of one year more than 800 qualitative interviews and 2,700 quantitative interviews were conducted all over the country to collect solid data and build sound analysis on the value chains and define opportunities sector by sector. Following this research, numerous investments have taken place and projects have been launched by Afghan entrepreneurs as well as large scale ones by foreign players.
Afghanistan Investment Climate Survey (ICS), for The World Bank – 2005 & 2009
Altai Consulting implemented the first World Bank Investment Climate Survey in Afghanistan in 2005 with 340 Companies, as well as the 2009 Investment Climate Assessment with 1,000 companies interviewed in 10 provinces. The ICS is helping the World Bank and other stakeholders involved in private sector development to identify obstacles to the development of the private sector in the country and design relevant support programs.
Afghanistan Investment Climate Facility (AICF) interim management, for ASI/DFID – 2008 & 2009
Altai Consulting team has been involved since July 2008 in the set up and interim management of the Afghanistan Investment Climate Facility, an independent Afghan organization supported by DFID, USAID, and several private companies. This facility will “aim to raise $100 million to fast track changes in business rules and regulations to make it attractive for businesses to invest in Afghanistan”. Altai Consulting is mainly involved in the research, knowledge management, M&E and strategy components of the facility. To support the activities of this facility, Altai Consulting has designed and developed a specific web-based information-hub that gathers data on all existing Private Sector Development programs ongoing in Afghanistan, as well as a reports library, and useful links.
Market sector assessment: cotton in Pakistan – AFD, 2009
Early 2009, Altai Consulting was contracted by AFD (French Development Agency) to study the cotton sector in Pakistan, the world’s second largest importer. This work involved an in-depth assessment of the cotton value chain in Pakistan, with quantitative and qualitative analyses. Extensive fieldwork took place with the different players in Karachi, Lahore and Multan to collect precise data and come up with the most comprehensive picture on how to approach this key sector of the Pakistani economy.
Other projects include numerous market sectors assessments (construction, IT & telecommunication sector, private education, etc.), developments of business plans for numerous industries and training workshops for Afghan managers and women entrepreneurs.