Export Promotion CEI

This presentation is taken from the outcome assessment of the results and lessons learned of Swedish development cooperation with Nicaragua 2001 – 2008 – for full text and detailed references see document Outcome Assessment 2001-2008.

EXPORT PROMOTION CEI

(2000-2003; 10 MSEK)

Support to CEI was started before the adoption of the Country Program 2003 - 2005. There was no evaluation conducted at the end of the Swedish support, but the Centre is still functioning as private non-profit corporation with government representation promoting small and medium export industries in Nicaragua.

Sweden provided institutional support to the Centre for Export and Investment (Centro de Exportaciones e Inversiones, CEI) through UNDP in two periods; 1996 – 2000 (20 MSEK) and 2000 – 2003 (10 MSEK). The aim of the support 2000 - 2003 was to consolidate the work and financial sustainability of CEI.

The Final Report from UNDP in 2003 gives details about the activities performed. Regarding the impact of the work of CEI, the report notes that the organisations of small and medium producers express demand for the services of CEI in order to establish contacts and reach out to market their products, as well as to overcome problems with national procedures on taxes, licenses etc. The Report also comments on factors that limited the work of the Centre, such as lack of a national strategy for production and exports, and reduction of the national budget contribution to CEI (for salaries and operative costs). Another limitation was the establishment of a similar government Agency for Promotion of Investments.