 Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs  US Agency for International Development  3 year project began in December 2007

 Improve the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in target industries  Generate more successful SMEs, more and better jobs, higher revenues and incomes Exports, jobs, incomes, SMEs

BiH Agribusinesses Face Opportunities… and Challenges  Fresh fruit market value could grow by 50%  From €210 million today to €350 million  There has been greater investment in production  BiH can offer competitive products  High quality produce  Products available in “off-season”  Yet only 2-3% of production is exported  only ~ 0.27% of total fruit and vegetable production exported to EU  Only 8 companies are GlobalGap certified  Companies lack access to key production information, market knowledge, new production techniques, etc.

Agribusiness e-BIZ Centre:  Mission: Provide ICT-facilitated services that significantly improve the competitiveness of BiH agribusinesses  Provides demand-driven services  Responsive to customer needs  Agile in the marketplace  Owner: El Pak doo  Co-investment commitment: ~50% of total cost  Grand Opening: Spring 2009  Marketing has already begun!

 Memberships  3 Tier fee structure with different services  Information  Referral services  Small ads and marketplace  Online marketing  Detailed target market intelligence  “A la carte” fee-based services  Online agent services  Online advertising  Event/training organizing and promotion  Technical expertise Revenue Model

Target Market Target Market  Producers and suppliers across the value chain  Farmers  Cooperatives  Associations  Processors  Exporters  Wholesalers  Input and equipment suppliers  Service providers  Supermarkets  Financial Services Institutions, e.g., banks and MCOs  Government institutions

Services Services  Agro Link offers what no other BiH organization provides:  Fast, easy access to accurate information credit sources, subsidies, detailed target market info  E.g., market prices, weather, credit sources, subsidies, detailed target market info  Comparison information about input suppliers  Special “member” discounts  “Referrals advertising” for suppliers and service providers  E.g., equipment/input vendors, professional services, transportation, etc.  Effective market promotion in BiH and international markets  Online services to international buyers for specific produce  Timely, high quality expert response to questions and problems packaging requirements, certification requirements, r  Easy-to-use guidelines, e.g., packaging requirements, certification requirements, r egulatory and legislation information

 More competitive SMEs  SMEs compete in higher value-added markets  SME customers report Agrolink services improved their businesses  Agro Link is self-sustainable and provides services beyond the end of the project  Links with universities contribute to workforce development