Improving the competitiveness of Kosovo’s wood sector businesses

USAID’s EMPOWER Private Sector presented available options for technical assistance interventions to improve the competitiveness of companies in the wood sector. The proposed interventions were formulated by an international expert through extensive consultations with, and direct visits to, wood sector companies. Proposed interventions include production optimization through implementation of lean manufacturing methods and improved utilization of advanced technology; better accounting of production-related costs to help pricing strategies, especially for exports; improvement of quality control systems; and improvement of retail operations, including better targeted sales techniques. EMPOWER Private Sector will finalize the list of interventions it will support in the coming period based on the declared priorities of its wood sector beneficiaries.

During the meeting with wood sector beneficiaries, EMPOWER Private Sector also facilitated a presentation on potential export enhancement services delivered by the local consulting company, Management and Development Associates (MDA). EMPOWER Private Sector facilitated a similar presentation in April to a selected number of its export-ready beneficiaries. In partnership with Sida – Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.