Challenges:
Egypt’s Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), formerly the Social Fund for Development, faced the challenge of redesigning its One-Stop Shops (OSS) to streamline services for MSMEs to promote formalization.
The task involved implementing studies from the first phase of the MSME Support Programme, ensuring that the pilot OSS in Cairo reflected an efficient and scalable model. The legal and regulatory complexities, alongside the need for infrastructure upgrades, presented significant challenges in aligning the new OSS model with international best practices.
Solutions:
AAA was contracted to oversee MSMEDA’s implementation of the new OSS design as part of the second phase of the Programme.
The assignment focused on providing expert advice and technical assistance to ensure that MSMEDA adhered to the recommendations outlined in the studies produced in the first phase.
Key solutions included:
Action Plan Review:
We conducted a thorough review of MSMEDA’s action plan to ensure alignment with the proposed new design, based on the recommendations of Phase 1.
Procurement Support:
MSMEDA’s procurement requests for IT equipment, furniture, and other resources were reviewed and facilitated according to the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) procurement rules.
Monitoring & Evaluation:
Regular consultative progress reports were drafted, identifying any implementation challenges and providing recommendations for addressing them. At the end of the project, an evaluation was conducted to assess the success of the implementation of the pilot OSS and provide recommendations for the full rollout in all MSMEDA OSS offices across Egypt.
Capacity Building:
Workshops were organized to train OSS staff on the MSME Law and the Front Office/Back Office operational model, ensuring a smooth transition to the new system.
Project Funding Proposal: A detailed funding proposal was prepared to scale up the pilot programme, based on the outcomes of the pilot OSS evaluation.
Impact:
The successful supervision of MSMEDA’s pilot OSS in Cairo has laid the groundwork for scaling the new OSS design across Egypt. The alignment of procurement, infrastructure, and legal frameworks with the proposed design ensures that MSMEs will benefit from more efficient and accessible services. The capacity-building workshops have equipped OSS staff with the skills needed to effectively implement the MSME Law. As a result, the pilot OSS is poised to become a replicable model, potentially benefiting MSMEs across the country and contributing to their formalization.
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