USAID Launches Initiative for the Digital Transformation of 200 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
SAN SALVADOR – The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), launched a digital transformation initiative for 200 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the areas of metalworking, manufacturing and agribusiness. With this project, the companies will be able to open new channels of electronic commerce, digital marketing, and modernization of their production and marketing.
The launch was attended by the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador, William Bent; the General Director of Innovation and Competitiveness of the Ministry of Economy, Andrea Pérez; the Director of Exports of the Export and Investment Promotion Agency of El Salvador (PROESA), Mario Tenorio Ordóñez; the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador (CAMARASAL), Jorge Hasbún, and the General Manager of Productos La Canasta, Claudia Barriere.
To achieve this goal, USAID and institutions from the public and private sectors will select 100 MSMEs from the metalworking and manufacturing sectors, as well as 100 companies from the agribusiness sector. The intervention will include training and individual technical assistance in digital innovation processes, the implementation of a new technological tool for participating sectors, and a business roundtable for each sector.
This activity is carried out in partnership with the Ministries of Economy and Agriculture and Livestock; PROESA, CAMARASAL, Alianza Cacao El Salvador and the Catholic University of El Salvador (UNICAES), who will help recruit the participating companies.
The expected results are an increase of $1.5 million dollars in new sales and 200 new jobs in the first year after the intervention.
This initiative is part of USAID’s Economic Competitiveness Project, which strengthens the capacities of MSMEs, including through technological and digital tools, with an emphasis on e-commerce. The digitalization of companies improves the business environment and opens opportunities for new marketing models, which translates into higher profits and more jobs for the Salvadoran people.
