ECONOMY
ABAD PROJECT TO WRAP UP IN END OF OCTOBER
The USAID-funded Azerbaijan Business Assistance & Development (ABAD) Program is to be completed on October 31. USAID allocated $3,500,000 to implement the project.
The ABAD program’s aim is to stimulate rural economic growth by helping farmers and small private enterprises increase their sales and create new employment opportunities. ABAD achieves these goals by working directly with rural enterprises and local communities to create and strengthen market-linkages, improve technical and business skills, and improve the regulatory environment. The program delivers assistance primarily through rural Marketing Centers staffed by business advisors who live and work in the regions. They can help access technical, market and business information, provide consultation from local and international experts, and provide advice and consultation on obtaining access to credit, including equipment and machinery leases. In some cases business advisors may be able to facilitate grant support to defray the cost of new equipment and machinery.
ABAD focuses its efforts in the Guba, Lankaran and Zagatala economic corridors.