Project Name：Project to Strengthen Capacity to Support Development of MSMEs (Phase II)

Project status：Projects in Operation

Cooperating Country：South America, Paraguay

Project Description：

From 2019 to 2023, the Taiwan Technical Mission in Paraguay implemented the " Project to Strengthen Capacity to Support Development of MSMEs," aiming to enhance the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of Paraguay's ability to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The project focused on providing guidance to key industries such as textiles, dairy products, yerba mate, and leather, effectively promoting the development of MSMEs in Paraguay. Due to the successful outcomes of the project, the Paraguayan government is keen to launch a second phase to continue improving the MSME guidance capacity. Building on the achievements of the previous phase, this project will further integrate MSME guidance resources from industry, government, and academia, and strengthen the support for key industries in Paraguay to drive industrial transformation and enhance competitiveness.
The key objectives of this project include: 1. Strengthening the technical guidance capacity for key and potential industries in Paraguay; 2. Joint dedication to promote the small business development center (SBDC) framework to better integrate counseling resources from the industry, government, and academic sectors in Paraguay.

Implementation Start Date：2024-01-01

Implementation End Date：2028-12-31

Project Objectives：

1. Strengthening the technical guidance capacity for key and potential industries in Paraguay.
2. Joint dedication to promote the small business development center (SBDC) framework to better integrate counseling resources from the industry, government, and academic sectors in Paraguay.

Executing Agency：

Taiwan Technical Mission in the Republic of Paraguay / Ministry of Industry and Commerce (Paraguay)

Current Progress：

To the end of June 2024, the following activities have been completed:
1.Trained 15 consultants specialized in guiding key and potential industries.
2.Continued assisting 8 businesses in improving critical areas (including the implementation of 3D digital pattern-making technology) and completed 6 thematic courses.
3.Tracked the guidance of 245 MSMEs through the NEO SERRA system at the SBDC center, enhancing Paraguay's MSME counseling capacity.
4.Conducted a survey of potential industries and completed a survey report.
5.Organized a training session to improve cheese production quality.
6.Continued training 4 textile companies to build digital pattern-making and design capabilities.
7.Completed one set of operational procedure manuals for MSME guidance.
8.Held 4 annual training sessions for business consultants, training a total of 50 individuals.

Project Contact：Li Ting Chao

Phone：+886-2-28886127

E-mail：l.t.chao@icdf.org.tw

Projected Benefits：

The strengthened local industry guidance institutions have supported a total of 900 businesses, with an average gross profit margin increase of 10%.