Products and Services

The CDC Supplier Training Initiative (STI) builds the capacity of MSMEs to act as suppliers to larger indigenous and multinational entities:

• Program focus is on supply chain
• Procurement rules and regulations
• Training and technical assistance
  • General business skills
  • Quality management systems
  • ISO 9000 and 14000 series
  • Industry specific areas
• Domestic and international business linkages, associations and partnerships

The CDC Procurement Training Initiative (PTI) builds the contract base for local SMEs:

• Program focus is on the contracting side
• Work with government and larger national corporations to identify goods and services that could be supplied by local SMEs
• Develop transparent procurement procedures that encourage the use of SMEs
• Supplier training can be run concurrently
  CDC incorporates our Business Linkages product into many of our programs to:
• Strengthen local consulting industries, business service sectors and trade infrastructure
• Develop local and regional networks
• Enhance management structures
• Expand service offerings
• Build market and promotional strategies
• Improve services for members
• Increase memberships
• Promote financial sustainability

Workforce Development is the key to sustainability of many of CDC’s economic development initiatives:

• Training of trainers
• In-company training programs
• Job-specific training and mentoring
• Pairing of consultants, co-training, and exchanges
• Professional networks and support systems
• Improved HR policies and compensation packages that support continued learning

Many CDC programs incorporate our Trade and Investment Promotion methodologies to help SMEs:

• Access new markets and increase exports
• Identify and assess linkage opportunities
• Plan and help establish
  • Joint ventures
  • Licensing agreements
  • Franchises
  • Other strategic alliances
• Improve market research
• Meet international production and operational standards
• Address international Health, Safety, and Environmental issues
• Qualify and introduce companies to financial institutions
• Undertake due diligence
• Organize roundtables on access to and sources of finance
• Supply personnel to back-up investments
• Evaluate and assess risk

The introduction and/or improvement of Information and Communication Technology is an essential part of the capacity building process:

• Develop new IT technologies, products and services for local BSOs/BSIs/BSPs
• Network through On-line Community System (OCS)
• Develop efficient supply and production chains
• Create market and promotional strategies
• Identify new sales outlets

CDC supports MSME Development through:

• Training
• Technical assistance
• Grants
• Business linkages
• Development of business support sector
• One-on-one and company mentoring
• Industry/Sector specific support

CDC’s Local Government Initiative (LGI) methodology brings business, government, NGOs and other stakeholders together to:

• Improve quality of performance
• Strategize for community/municipal/regional development
• Promote good governance and transparency
• Participate in roundtables
• Provide/participate in technical assistance and training
• Participate in procurement training
• Foster linkages
  • Local businesses
  • International counterparts
  • Constituents
  • Key stakeholders

CDC has a long history of NGO Development:

• Capacity building and technical assistance
• Creation and operation of databases
• Training workshops and seminars
• Improving accountability and credibility
• Local and international networking opportunities
• Financial sustainability
• Small grants program
• Increase outreach and efficiency of services