Through this USAID-funded project, Nathan Associates and partner JE Austin Associates helped institute public-private dialogue on competitiveness and support Pakistani industries in boosting their competitiveness and productivity.

With help from the project, the Pakistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority, the Technology Up-Gradation and Skills Development Company, other agencies and ministries, as well as provincial and local governments, Pakistani companies organized strategy groups for the dairy, gems and jewelry, marble and granite, furniture, surgical instruments, and horticulture sectors.

The groups defined and strategic initiatives, formulated recommendations for policy reforms, and identified skill gaps and workforce development plans. The project facilitated policy dialogue between companies and the government, and the government adopted nearly all recommended reforms.

The project then helped refine workforce development plans and establish an Enterprise Competitiveness Support Fund to support

(1) innovation through knowledge-based SME incubators

(2) pilot projects emerging from industry competitiveness strategies

(3) Pakistani competitiveness in general