European Union Program Launches Strategic Plan for Small Business Development

The Support Program for Small Dominican Enterprises (PROEMPRESA), administered by the European Development Fund with resources donated by the European Union is wrapping up a 5-year program of supporting the development of small and medium sized businesses (PyMes) in the country.

Part of the final activities on Wednesday was the launching of the Strategic Plan for PyMes in the Dominican Republic, 2008-2013 which will incorporate thousands of small business people from around the country to participate in roundtable discussions to come up with a final document.

The idea it to create a document that strategically encourages state and private business to come together to help the country’s small businesses to continue to be a sustainable part of the national economy. The plan puts forward a positive view, after five years, of PyMes business people from the point of view of a business culture committed to achieving sustainable results based on values and principles such as strategies and concrete actions necessary to carry out the vision, principles, values and goals described in the document.

So that the proposals aren’t just words, the level of commitment required by business, government and human talent are being identified in order to implement a successful strategy. These actions were defined in the process during the second stage of the Round Table Discussion: Toward a Strategic Plan for PyMes, which was underway from February 2007 until February of this year. In this version PROEMPRESA had the support and commitment of government institutions such as ONFED, the National Council for Competitiveness, the Secretary of Industry and Commerce, the Program for Micro, Small and Medium Businesses, among other public entities.

The business sector was present through the Confederation of Small and Medium Businesses, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and other such organizations and business groups throughout the country.

The methodological conceptualization of the participatory strategic planning process was carried out under the guidance of the Latin American Agency of Planning Experts (ALEPH) consulting firm under the direction of Remedios Ruiz who provided a valuable and multidisciplinary staff of professionals who helped PROEMPRESA deal with the demands coming from the PyMes sector throughout the country.

The Support Program for Small Dominican Enterprises (PROEMPRESA), administered by the Office of National Organization for European Development Funds (ONFED) with resources donated by the European Union (EU) in 2003 began a dialogue and coordination process of Small and Medium Businesses (PyMes) in the Dominican Republic at the Second PROEMPRESA forum.

In 2004, PROEMPRESA carried out activities on a regional level for the first several months, with the objective of identifying the internal strengths and weaknesses of the PyMes, such as dealing with opportunities and threats in the world of business. In 2005, the Program began to offer training for PyMes Alliances on a regional level. By 2006, it was supporting the celebration of the first convention of small businesses.