Today, December 20, USAID’s Micro and Small Enterprises Project (MSEP), co-funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development (CEED) Macedonia, officially came to a close.   

The United States Ambassador Jess Baily, the Swiss Ambassador Sybille Suter, MSEP’s Chief of Party Jovan Madjovski, Co-founder of MaMa Organa Natalija Burgieva, and Owner of ADUT GVN Blagica Cvetkovic made brief remarks. In his remarks, U.S. Ambassador Baily said, “We can proudly bring this project to a close knowing it has benefited hundreds of small businesses across the country, and that these small businesses will continue to contribute to Macedonia’s economic prosperity. Likewise, CEED will continue to work with businesses of all sizes introducing new business ideas to the Macedonian economy.”

“I am glad that CEED will continue to offer the services created within the project after it ends”, said Swiss Ambassador Suter. “It is important that companies throughout Macedonia have access to knowledge, networking and finance. This will help them grow, as many of those included in the project did”, she added.

Towards the end of the event, nearly 200 participants were awarded certificates for their successful completion of entrepreneurial programs conducted in the last year of the project. The event ended with a small exhibition at which about 15 project participants showcased their products.

Launched by USAID in July 2011, and co-funded by the Government of Switzerland, the Micro and Small Enterprises Project (MSEP) was a six-year, $3,079,400 project that supported micro and small enterprises through training, networking and mentoring opportunities, consultancy services, export support, and access to an investment fund. The project was implemented in eight regions across the country. Companies that participated in the project saw an overall increase of 25.8% in new jobs and employment opportunities. Through the project, 22 companies received investments worth $1,031,000 (these figures include $82,000 from business angels, and $53,000 owner investments), 389 micro companies received business development services, 593 participants received 12,026 man-hours of training through entrepreneurial programs, and 140 companies introduced new business practices in their respective organizations. 

NOTE TO EDITORS:    

This year, USAID is marking its 25th anniversary in Macedonia. The American people, through USAID, have invested more than $610 million in the country since 1993. USAID is working with the people of Macedonia to create jobs, strengthen democratic institutions and practices, enhance integrated education, and prepare students for the modern workforce. These initiatives, in partnership with the people of Macedonia, aim to improve the quality of life for all of Macedonia’s citizens. For more information, please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov and USAID’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/USAIDMacedonia.

Switzerland has supported Macedonia’s transition process since 1992. This cooperation is grounded in Switzerland’s tradition of solidarity and reflects the importance that Switzerland places on the stability and prosperity of the Western Balkans. Today, Switzerland ranks among Macedonia’s largest bilateral cooperation partners, with financial commitments of EUR 69 million for 2017-2020. Switzerland focuses on three domains in Macedonia: democratic governance, employment and economic development, as well as infrastructure and environment. For more information please visit  https://www.eda.admin.ch/macedonia and the Facebook page of the Embassy of Switzerland https://business.facebook.com/SwissEmbassySkopje/.

CEED Macedonia is part of an international network of entrepreneurial centers with offices in 14 countries. Since its founding nine years ago, 1,691 entrepreneurs and managers from Macedonia have successfully completed the Center’s entrepreneurial programs. CEED conducts training in management, finance, marketing and middle management for owners and top managers of small and medium enterprises. Find out more at www.ceed-macedonia.org.

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