Background – Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are amongst the most important pillars of an economy. Although in Bolivia SME only contribute about 35% of the Gross Domestic Product, they employ 93% of the working population. According to estimates, over the past 15 years SME have created 8 out of 10 new jobs in Bolivia. People from lower social strata and from the countryside, in particular, have benefited from this.

Project – Swisscontact is committed to economic development and to improving the working conditions and market opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. Business owners, employees and families all benefit from this. The most important element of the project is the promotion of a comprehensive, practical range of training and consultancy programmes in co-operation with carefully chosen service centres. On offer are various courses, workshops and consultancy services, mainly concerning legal and economic issues. By creating forums (trade fairs, meetings etc.), contact with other business players is encouraged and targeted support is given to companies that market SME products. The improved contact network also facilitates access to tenders for public contracts, and SME are supported in an advisory capacity during the tendering process. Setting up and expanding an officially recognised certification system for products and services will improve quality, optimise processes and thereby increase market opportunities. Because they take into account regional peculiarities, it is the actual needs that dictate the measures taken, measures which are thus implemented in harmony with government initiatives to develop the overall economy and to improve economic conditions for SME.