In order to reverse the problems obstructing Vietnam’s growth (among other due to inefficiencies in the large state sector, i.e. SOEs, state owned banks, and public investments), the Government of Vietnam has prioritized reforms in these areas. The project consisted in advising the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance in drafting the Law on Investment and Management of State Capital in Enterprises, a law which is meant to enhance the legal and institutional framework for managing the large number of state owned enterprises (SOEs), dramatically reducing its number and thus safeguarding the state budget against fiscal risks stemming from SOEs, introducing competition in sectors closed for private enterprises, introducing corporate governance measures as we as providing senior staff of MoF with a detailed overview and insight on international best practice in managing natural monopolies, amongst other the rail and the power sectors. According to the new law, approved by the National Assembly in December 2014, all SOEs will have to follow similar reporting mechanisms and disclosure requirements as listed enterprises. Furthermore, the classification of SOEs shall be based on the nature of their activities, their role in the economy, which in turn will determine the desired level of state ownership and the legal framework within which SOEs are governed and operate shall be improved.

One of the ongoing reform efforts of the Pakistani government focusses on the interprovincial harmonisation process of the regulatory framework for VAT on services. Perspectives and potential reform areas, amongst other rules for the place of supply of services and sales tax treatment of import of services are being discussed. For this purpose, a study tour on the administration of value added tax (VAT) across jurisdictions was to take place from July 16 to 23 2022. The study tour was meant to be for a group of officials from the revenue authorities at province level as well as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of Pakistan to Berlin, Germany. Focus of the study tour was the legislation and procedures on VAT applicable to inter-jurisdiction supplies of services amongst other to international transactions with EU and non-EU jurisdictions. The objective of the Study Tour was to enhance capacities of participants in designing effective measures for Pakistan’s domestic process of harmonisation of sales tax on services across different provinces of Pakistan.

The assignment consisted of:

• Preparing and supporting the conduct of the Study Tour, coordinating the development of the individual presentations as well as moderating the workshops and discussions.
• Envisaging a format of the event based on presentations by selected national (German) and international experts representing the view of main national stakeholders regarding the STS.

In late 2018, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) initiated a technical assistance project, in co-operation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan (UCCI), to conduct an overview of existing SME support policies and to review challenges for SMEs in Uzbekistan. The objective of the project was for the EBRD to identify areas to support the implementation of Uzbekistan’s Development Strategy 2017-2021, one key area for intervention being support to SME development. The EBRD therefore decided to investigate the current challenges to SMEs in Uzbekistan which needed to be addressed to support business growth and competitiveness. The assignment was implemented by indecon consulting GmbH.

The assignment consisted of:

1. Mapping of the Legal and Institutional Environment of SMEs:
   • Mapping of national stakeholders that work on SME development,
   • Reviewing the latest reform proposals that will likely affect SME development
   • Preparing an overview of support programmes for SMEs in Uzbekistan by IFS and other development organizations
2. Identification of key challenges for SME development and recommendations to address them:
   • Reviewing the statistical data from the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey (BEEPS), a private sector survey carried out by EBRD and World Bank between 2018 and 2020 to identify key challenges faced by SMEs’
   • Conducting a (complementary) public sector survey of 18 government and quasi-government organisations,
   • Conducting a series of (complementary) online surveys of SMEs, focus groups and interviews related to the main identified challenges and affected sectors,
   • Conducting a survey on challenges to SME development because of the Covid-19 pandemic,
   • Performing a consolidated analysis of the BEEPS, the National Stakeholder Survey and all complementary online surveys and meetings, as well as expert opinions
3. Assessing the key challenges for SME development and formulating recommendations to address them, based on experiences from comparable countries.

The findings, the main challenges for SME development and the proposed solutions, including examples from other relevant countries, were presented to the Uzbek government, with a focus on discussing how these challenges could best be addressed in Uzbekistan.

The National Agency for Project Management under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan (NAPM) was established on July 24, 2017 with presidential Decree 3150. The responsibilities of the NAPM comprise managing the modernisation, i.e. reform process of the procedures for allocating and coordinating public expenditure, the introduction of a framework for a transparent public procurement, and the introduction of an adequate overall project management.

Since its establishment NAPM has been mandated with further responsibilities, among others, the streamlining and management of technical regulations for the design and planning in the real estate sector.

Following a request from NAPM and the confirmation of available funds by the German Federal Ministry of Finance, suitable priority topics for supporting NAPM were identified and their implementation agreed.

The project is based on an explicit request from the State Property Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan called "GKI" for short (renamed to “State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Privatisation, Demonopolisation and Development of Competition” or "GKK" for short in November 2012 and currently called "State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Assistance to Privatised Enterprises and Development of Competition" also "GKK" for short since April 2017), a state organisation responsible for among other managing the state property, privatisation, private sector development and supervising the securities market, to provide support in improving the corporate governance framework, thus introducing effectiveness in the management of state property and boosting the stagnated privatisation. The assignment encompasses providing Support in drafting a new Law on State Property Management, reviewing the Law on Privatisation and the Law on Limited Liability Companies as well as providing support in drafting the Corporate Governance Code. The project’s main objective is to improve the legal and institutional framework necessary to consistently improve the corporate governance framework and to facilitate private sector involvement.

A detailed legal gap analysis was carried out identifying gaps and inconsistencies in among other the existing corporate legislation and the Civil Code. The identified issues were presented in a report (strategy) outlining international procedures, necessary amendments on various areas and administrative levels, among other banning / restriction of types and number of non-incorporated enterprises (being an open liability for the state budget), introduction of criteria for state commercial activities, general decentralisation of state responsibilities and liabilities, i.e. their allocation to lower levels (regions and municipalities), defining and strengthening rights and duties of management, supervisory boards and owner’s representatives, improving transparency by introducing disclosure of compliance statements for listed companies (trust building measures to boost the Stock Exchange activities), thus discussing the concept of a Corporate Governance Code. Following an extensive discussion a respective Law on State Property Management was drafted comprising the proposed solutions and including comparative analysis and implications on existent legal framework. Consensus-building activities with key stakeholders (primarily ministries) comprise presenting and discussing the content of the draft Law in different events. These events included a study tour and workshops with representatives of ministries, members of supervisory boards and representatives of the management of SOEs in order to directly address their questions, suggestions and representations. The draft Law on State Property Management was submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers in July 2013 and to Parliament in February 2014 where it passed the second reading in 2015.

Namibia has around 100 large state-owned enterprises (SOE) which are managed in a decentralised manner by the line ministries. The legal framework and the regulations governing SOEs are very diverse and implemented differently by each line ministry. The accumulated deficits forced the government to take action.

The government of Namibia established the Ministry of Public Enterprises (MPE) in 2015 to address the need for a harmonised and standardised portfolio management. The MPE requires support to fulfill their tasks. Following a request from the MPE, workshops and seminars on international experiences were delivered for CEOs, supervisory board members, and staff and management of the ministry.

In the context of the “UNDP Rule of Law Partnership Project” a study tour for a delegation from the Republic of Uzbekistan comprising judges from the Supreme Court, officials from the Presidential Administration, academics, and judiciary experts was designed, organized and conducted by indecon. The study tour lasted 10 days (7th to the 18th of May 2017) and visited numerous high- and mid-level courts (including the Suprem Court), Ministries of Justice, Judiciary Training Facilities and Association of Judges in Germany and Austria. The main objective of the study tour was to enhance the knowledge and technical skills of the participants by providing them with an opportunity to study experience and best practices of German and Austrian judiciaries in the areas of administrative justice, jurisdiction of administrative courts, selection and appointment of judges, and training of judges.

Halfway through the study tour a full-day classroom training workshop was conducted by indecon to consolidate the hitherto gained knowledge of the participants. The workshop provided a brief overview on the organisational structure and functioning of state organs and the judiciary in the Federal Republic of Germany. It focused on the German judiciary system, formal requirements to court rulings and main aspects of legal reasoning, issues of electronic case management, and the legal education and remuneration of judges. Emphasis was upon the separation of distinct parts of a judgement as well as separation of facts form legal opinion and undisputed and disputed facts.

A second main topic was the style of legal reasoning stressing the aspect that a court decision must give sufficient answer to the following questions:

• What does the plaintiff want?
• Who is the defendant?
• On which norm may the claim be based?
• What are the requirements of that special norm?
• Do facts comply with legal requirements?
• What are the objections from the plaintiff’s side’?
• Are they founded?

Furthermore, a a case study of CEPEJ was presented and discussed.

The purpose of the project was to support the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of TAJIKISTAN and its SOE Monitoring Department (SOEMD) with implementing its Public Finance Management Reform, as part of the Government’s larger ten-year Public Finance Management Reform Strategy. The 39 months lasting project consisted in developing a Fiscal Risk Mitigation Strategy related to state-owned enterprises (SOEs), developing an improved SOE monitoring framework, including reform of the regulatory framework concerning the MoF’s administrative powers related to monitoring the SOEs financial performance, assisting in implementation of the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) at large SOEs, enhancing the capacity of the MoF by designing and delivering training on SOE corporate governance, equity valuation, the use of the electronic accounting system and in the preparation of an annual subsidy report.

Based on a Request for Quotation "RFQ" an assignment to design, develop, coordinate and implement a study tour  for high ranking lecturers and trainers of the Academy for Public Administration under the President of Uzbekistan (APA) and management of the State Committee for Privatization, Demonopolization and Development of Competition or "GKK" for short (renamed to "State Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Assistance to Privatised Enterprises and Development of Competition" also "GKK" for short in April 2017) to Germany was awarded to indecon. In the context of the study tour the participants were to visit government organisations in Germany mandated with the implementation of corporate governance, portfolio management of SOEs as well as regulatory issues. The objective of the study tour was to provide the participants with a comprehensive overview of the legal, administrative and institutional framework for Corporate Governance and the implementation of its procedures and thereby upgrading the skills and competence of the the Academy's faculty staff.

The study tour lasted five (5) days, i.e. from Sunday October 30, 2016 until November 05, 2016 and comprised a combination of classroom workshops, cases studies and visits to state organisations.

The classroom training and discussions as well as presentations by state organisations focused on the following topics:

• Corporate Governance
• State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the required legal framework
• The state as owner of commercial enterprises: legal framework in Germany and EU countries
• SOE portfolio management and SOE performance monitoring
• Public Sector reform at local level
• Regulation: Introduction into regulation, Regulatory authorities, Regulated markets
• Designing and implementing standards on CG in enterprises
• Legal Framework for limited liability companies (Llc)
• Restructuring of enterprises (before insolvency)
• Insolvency / Financial restructuring in case of insolvency

The European School of Management and Technology [ESMT Berlin] and the Scientific Educational Center of Corporate Governance in Uzbekistan concluded an agreement in 2015 for ESMT to provide executive education for Uzbek managers in the area of corporate governance. Based on this agreement ESMT subcontracted indecon consulting to provide specific classroom training regarding basic principles and international standards of corporate governance, the respective legal framework, and later-on on implementation aspects of the Uzbek Corporate Governance Code, adopted in February 2016.

In the context of the program over 100 CEOs, board members, top executives and civil servants attended the classroom training modules.

Support to Uzbekistan Railways (JSC Uzbekiston Temir Yullari “UTY”) in developing a strategy to address the market implications and thereby maximize benefits from their investments in the construction of the electrified Pap-Angren railway line meant to provide for a reliable connection between the Fergana valley and the rest of the country. To pursue break-even financial performance UTY needed to explore ways of how to increase its competitiveness in order to attract additional customer groups and cargo. The consultant provided consultancy services regarding logistics/supply chain management, the analysis of current and future transport demand, a Marketing Strategy including support to establish a Lead Marketing Unit as well as financial management.

The assignment comprised the following components:

• Development of supply chain case studies encompassing agriculture, selected manufactures of higher value productions and agri-business;
• Development of a logistics study, including reviewing the readiness of plans of UTY to ensure effective operations of the railway line, reviewing the existing marketing procedures and IT systems at UTY and establishing a framework and timeframe for a modernized System, identifying existing collecting/centralization points as part of the supply chain analysis, reviewing the existing traffic forecasts and intermodal plans, existing and future physical capacity and organizations at terminals, stations and along the line, including assessing areas for potential private sector participation in developing intermodal terminals;
• Formulating recommendations in the form of a logistic plan;
• Delivering training in asset management, financial management and FIDIC contract management in the form of 3 workshops of several days duration each in the respective Areas;
• Development of a marketing strategy, including support to establish a lead marketing unit at UTY, including proposals to streamline marketing procedures and functions as well as providing guidance on diagnostic on tariff setting in synergy with the financial specialists.

In accordance with efforts of the Government of Kazakhstan (GoK) to diversify the country’s economy, the Competitive Industries and Innovation Program (CIIP) had awarded a grant for Technical Assistance (TA) to support development of competitive industries in non-extractive sectors in Kazakhstan. The objective of the TA was to support the development of higher value-added production and increased competitiveness of non-extractive industries in order to contribute to job creation in the regions. The work was primarily to focus on increasing the competitiveness of the industry along its value chain, and on job creation.

The TA aimed to achieve its objective by helping the Government of Kazakhstan work with the private sector to pilot an approach to the development of competitive industries that is based on international good practices, tailored to the Kazakhstan context.

The assignment consisted in the assessment and identification of the most suitable high-potential sub-industries in non-extractive sectors for private sector development and subsequent formulation of an informed recommendation of a minimum of two sub-industries in non-extractive sectors suitable for the implementation of two pilot projects to be implemented by the World Bank in a joint effort with the Government of Kazakhstan.

The sub-industries and regions were to be chosen taking into account the following criteria:

• Potential for increased competitiveness;
• Potential for job creation;
• Deeper integration with global value chains;
• Alignment with existing Government programs and strategies;
• SME growth

In the context of the assignment 19 pre-determined industries were screened in a pre-selection process, which led to the selection of 5 industries with the best development potential.

The thereafter performed in-depth analysis of the five selected industries and their sub-industries in the eight regions under study resulted in the recommendation of three sub-industries most suitable for pilot projects.

The recommendations included detailed assessments of the agribusiness sector and opportunities for SME linkage to lead firms.

The objective of the project was to provide senior management of state owned enterprises from Uzbekistan with a detailed overview and insight on:

• International Concepts of Corporate Governance
• Enhancing Competitiveness of State Owned Enterprises, and
• Separating Management Functions from Public Administration

In the context of the seminar detailed information on international trends and structure of large infrastructure enterprises, including amongst other Uzbek Railway was to be conveyed to be followed by discussions on the respective situation encountered in Uzbekistan as well as ways to its reform.

The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), the African Union’s (AU) specialized agency for the Aviation sector, has been entrusted with the position of the Executing Agency of the Yamoussoukro Decision. Main objective of the Yamoussoukro Decision (YD) is to liberalise the African Air Transport sector; facilitate connections in the African continent; develop an inter-African air transport network; and expand the participation of the private sector in the African Air Transport sector. The specific objective of this project, financed by the European Development Fund, is to assist the AFCAC in becoming operational as the Executing Agency of the Yamoussoukro Decision by providing consultancy services related to: (a) organisational and institutional capacity building, (b) adjustment and development of legal frameworks, and (c) database development.

The project entails two major components delivering operational support to the AFCAC, including communication events, trainings, seminars and workshops delivered among others to AFCAC, representatives of the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and member countries. The two major Study-Reports comprise:

(a) Study on the legal powers of AFCAC, rules on competition and consumer protection: The main objective of the study is the finalisation of the definition and clarification of the powers of the Executing Agency, as well as the related work procedures in relation to the main partners involved; namely, AU, ECA, RECs and AFRAA and comprises the following subcomponents:

(i) Study On Legal Powers Of The Executing Agency; (ii) Management of the Yamoussoukro Decision – A Gap Analysis; (iii) The Executing Agency and African Regulatory Structures, (iv) Functions, regulatory and enforcement powers of the Executing Agency; (v) Dispute Settlement Measures; (vi) Study On Competition Rules; and (vii) Study On Consumer Protection.

(b) Study on Database and related indicators (development of a civil aviation related database and related indicators): The main aim of the database is to dynamically monitor the practical implementation of the YD, based on defined indicators. Its application includes production of reports, legal, economic and statistical analysis. The prepared Study-Report primarily deals with the definition of indicators for the AFCAC Database and comprises the following sub-components:

(i) defining the specifications of a database; (ii) defining related indicators; (iii) determining data to be collected, their sources and an appropriate updating frequency; (iv) proposing an operational plan for the setting up and use of the database; (v) drafting technical and operational terms of reference in order to acquire the equipment and software necessary for the implementation of the database; and (vi) Assessing the database flexibility in case of changes, making adjustment if needed.

As part of a series of case studies initiated and funded by The World Bank, the Study on Cooperation on the Syr Darya River in general aims to improve the regional water cooperation in Central Asia, particularly in the Aral Sea basin. The World Bank considers, in close cooperation with the other international funding agencies, the regional organisations (EC IFAS, ICWC and ICSD) and governments of the Central Asian region, to use the analysis and recommendations for the development of an improved cooperation between the riparians with the ultimate aim to make better use of existing water resources and thereby improve the living conditions of the people in the Aral Sea region.

The focus of the analytical effort in the Study is to identify, inventory, and categorize the risks as perceived by the countries as they contemplate engaging in regional cooperation over international waters (IW). The output of the study is a systematic analysis of perceived risks from a national perspective.

Further topics are:

• Understanding of regional, bi- and multilateral activities of the Syr Darya riparians;
• Identification of root causes of past, present and potential future water use problems;
• Detection of reasons for success and failure of cooperation attempts, especially in the implementation of 1998 Syr Darya Agreement.
• Development of risk-reducing, as well as benefit-generating activities in Central Asia.

In the context of Montenegro’s railway sector reform, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) decided to have the railway infrastructure maintenance works carried out by an external, i.e. independent third party on the basis of a Multi-Annual-Contract (MAC). With the purpose to have a comprehensive strategy and a tailored MAC developed and subsequently implemented, the Privatisation Council of Montenegro appointed indecon consulting as Transaction Advisor. The assignment consisted of:

• An assessment of the procedures for planning, carrying out and monitoring rail infrastructure maintenance;
• An assessment of the institutional and legal framework required for the outsourcing of rail infrastructure maintenance and the introduction of a MAC and subsequent advice to the MoT on necessary adjustments;
• Development of a scheme for having the rail infrastructure maintenance planned by the infrastructure manager ŽICG, carried out by an independent party and monitored by the appointed disbursement agency (the Railway Directorate) and subsequent advice to the MoT on its implementation;
• Development of a detailed strategy to (i) identify the relevant staff involved in planning and monitoring maintenance on one hand and staff involved in carrying out maintenance on the other hand; (ii) transferring the latter staff to a newly established separate maintenance department, exclusively dedicated to carrying out maintenance; (iii) spinning-off said department into a newly legal entity (company); (iv) privatising the new company; and (v) entrusting it with the performance of rail infrastructure maintenance activities on the basis of a MAC;
• Advice to the MoT on issues related to the implications of the various types of MAC and its respective implications;
• Development of a Multi-Annual-Contract;
• Preparation and implementation of the tender documentation, identifying and stirring interest among potentially interested parties.

The yearly amount dedicated to the Multi-Annual-Contract is approx. EUR 10.000.000.

Direct mandate as Transaction Advisor (resulting from a competitive bidding procedure) with the Council for Privatisation of Montenegro. The contract foresaw the:

(a)  Privatisation of Montecargo JSC, the railway freight operator of Montenegro;

(b) Spinning off and outsourcing the infrastructure maintenance activities of the railway infrastructure company (ŽICG); and

(c)  Outsourcing the commercial development and commercial operation of the railway stations owned by ŽICG.

Besides reviewing, commenting and developing the legal and institutional framework required to ensure the functioning of the sector and necessary for the respective privatisation, each of the involved companies needed to be individually assessed with regard to their corporate governance practices. Respective reports and recommendations were prepared, presented to and discussed with the Minister.

The Government of Montenegro (GoM) wished to strengthen the national freight transport sector by specifically supporting the development of the rail freight sector.

In order to achieve a reliable, high quality and competitive rail freight sector, the state owned rail freight operator (MONTECARGO) requires modernisation through investments into rolling stock (freight wagons and locomotives) and qualification of its staff. Not having the financial means required for the company’s modernisation, nor the resources and capacity necessary to lead the company (corporate governance), GoM decided to privatise MONTECARGO and thus withdraw from this specific sector. For this purpose the Privatisation Council of Montenegro appointed indecon consulting as Transaction Advisor.

The assignment consisted of:

• An assessment of MONTECARGO’s preparedness for privatisation and advising the Ministry of Transport (MoT) and MONTECARGO on necessary adjustments on company level;
• Advice to the MoT in designing and introducing corporate governance procedures, in particular internal procedures and their monitoring in MONTECARGO. The procedures focussed on management control on operations and capital expenditure;
• An assessment of the institutional and legal framework required for the operation of a privately owned rail freight operator and advising the MoT and the Railway Directorate (Regulatory Authority) on necessary adjustments;
• Advice the MoT on issues related to market entry rules for rail freight operators;
• Assessment of the conditions envisaged for the public service obligations (PSO);
• Assessment of the conditions and rules to acquire capacity paths stipulated in the Network Statement and on the procedure for determining access charges;
• Preparing and implementing the tender process including identifying potentially interested parties, stirring their interest in the investment opportunity and performing the respective contract negotiations.

Negotiation with the investor resulted in: EUR 4,620,000 purchase price and EUR 12,000,000 of contractually guaranteed investment commitment.

In view of Albania having been invited to prepare for discussions and negotiation for its accession to the European Union the respective Albanian administrative staff required to be trained on various aspects of the respective Questionnaire. The objective of the assignment was to provide training for senior level officials and civil servants of the Ministry of European Integration (MEI) and relevant line Ministries involved in the process of answering the Questionnaire provided by the EU. The assignment was to focus on the two chapters (21 and 14) regarding transport and transport infrastructure taking into account the recent experience made on this matter in neighbouring Montenegro.

Based on the discussions held during the workshops and the earlier adopted Roadmap for the preparation of the Albanian public administration for the answering the EC Questionnaire, recommendations were prepared for the Government to deal with the matter.

The Bankruptcy Proceedings Law (from 2004) stipulated that Insolvency Administrators are required to be licensed prior to being assigned to a case by the respective commercial court. In order to obtain such a license candidates need to pass a professional examination held by the Bankruptcy Supervision Agency. The exam is based on a comprehensive curriculum comprising legal and business aspects. 332 licenses for insolvency administrators had been issued until the end of 2006.

However, the way insolvency administrators were approaching their cases revealed a general focus and preference to liquidate the assets of the insolvent enterprise and thus closing it down rather than assessing and pursuing its restructuring potential (going concern). Closing down enterprises undergoing insolvency procedures leads to rising unemployment and increased social hardship. Assessing and pursuing restructuring potential bears the potential of employment and fiscal income through taxes.

The focus of this project was on capacity building of insolvency administrators in the field of enterprise restructuring as an alternative instrument to closing them down. The project supported the Bankruptcy Supervision Agency in developing and introducing a training program for qualifying bankruptcy administrators to identify and pursue restructuring potential in insolvency cases. The curriculum of the required licensing exam was adapted accordingly.

The overall objective of this project, financed by th EU CARDS Programme, was to assist Serbia in its structural adjustment and transition to a market-based economy through SOE “disposition” (privatisation, assets sales, spin-offs, liquidations). The specific objectives were to provide the Corporate Restructuring Centre of the Privatisation Agency with assistance aiming at CRC across its activities while dealing with each enterprise’s financial and legal restructuring issues and to support CRC marketing activities in the process of sales of assets/capital of the selected companies. Co-ordinate their activities with financial and legal advisors hired by CRC to prepare Restructuring Programs and assist the CRC management in day-to-day decision-making process.

Results achieved/expected

• Support the Agency in obtaining over a period of 12 months approval of their Restructuring Program for enterprises under restructuring for which the preparation of Diagnostic Reports and Restructuring Programs is finalised or close to finalisation
• Assist the Agency in achieving during the same period provisional settlements of debtor/ creditor relationships for selected enterprises for which the Privatisation Agency launched the Privatisation Initiative
• Advise the CRC Director on improving the quality of CRC work and the overall effectiveness of the PA in conducting of the processes under its responsibility
• Recommend to the Agency optimal sales procedure and method of privatisation for selected enterprises.

indecon advised the Lithuanian Government during the privatization of the national airline, Lithuanian Airlines (LAL). The project included the assessment and the adaptation of the regulatory framework necessary for the privatization of the airline. Furthermore, indecon carried out a detailed investigation of the state enterprise and formulated respective and appropriate restructuring recommendations to the Government. Subsequently indecon organised and carried the international tender procedure.

Kazakhstan aspires to become one of the world’s 30 most developed economies by 2050. The respective medium-term agenda of the Government of Kazakhstan (GoK) is to stimulate private sector investment, productivity, and economic diversification. To support the GoK a Partnership Framework Arrangement between the World Bank Group and the Government of Kazakhstan was launched in May 2014. The Partnership Framework Arrangement aims to support the efforts of the GoK to ensure a more inclusive growth that is shared widely and benefits the lower income groups. It is implemented through TA activities, investment, and institutional capacity-building projects.

The assignment consisted in conducting a sectoral analysis of opportunities for job creation with a focus on skills for a value chain in the food sector - one of the select priority sectors under the government’s economic diversification agenda. In the context of the assignment opportunities to create more and better jobs throughout the meat sector value chain were assessed comprising consultations with key stakeholders (government, private sector, donors, IFIs, etc.). Special attention has been given to SMEs, including opportunities of linkage to lead firms.

Support to the Nepalese Inland Revenue Department (IRD), a department under the Ministry of Finance of Nepal, conceptualizing and organizing a study tour to Germany on “SME taxation”. Objective of the study tour was to support the SME working group of the IRD in the preparation of tax reforms in Nepal and to enhance its ability to develop policy recommendations to the Ministry of Finance of Nepal. The study tour comprised a mix of official visits to authorities on federal and regional level responsible for tax policy development and implementation as well as tax administration. These visits were subsequently supported by training workshops designed and delivered by the consultant meant to provide in-depth view and understanding of the addressed topics.

Regional analysis of the Euro-region Viadrina (German-Polish border) related to plans to develop the location as a logistics hub for E-commerce businesses, including a Value Chain analysis. Recommendations for business development, especially for SME, were made based on local structural conditions. An action plan to fully exploit the region’s development potential, taking into account International growth sectors, development trends, and target groups for marketing was proposed.

In the context of an EU funded project supporting SMEs from Bosnia and Herzegovina in their entrepreneurial development a market research was performed for two agribusiness SMEs (Prijedorcanka and Tropic Ribarstvo) in order to assess and support their access to the main European markets. The assignment comprised analysing their products, production procedures and compliance with EU norms and standards, as well as identifying suitable support from SME development organisations.

The objective of this project financed by the EU CARDS Programme was to foster and re-activate the Montenegrin economy by establishing a competitive and self-reliant port sector. For this purpose the legal, institutional and regulatory framework needed adjustments amongst other for its harmonization with European legislation and international best practice. The project focused on the Port of Bar, the country’s largest international port.

Advising the Serbian Ministry of Economy and Privatisation and later on the Serbian Privatisation Agency (SPA) on implementing the government’s privatisation program for SMEs and consequently in setting up the legal and institutional framework for the establishment of an effective privatisation agency. This included providing comments on the draft Law on Privatisation, the draft Law on the Privatisation Agency, the draft Law on Bankruptcy as well as drafting the sub Law (decree) on privatisation o SMEs through auctions. Once these laws came into effect and the Privatisation Agency was established, the project redirected its focus towards setting up the Privatisation Agency, i.e. designing the organisational structure, defining the profile for its staff and developing procedures on work and document flow including procedures for identifying, selecting, preparing and auctioning SMEs followed by designing and conducting a survey among privatised SMEs on privatisation impact.

Further topics were:

• Advising on privatisation through auction sale of (planned) 7000 companies in Serbia resulting in successful sale of 1.600 companies;
• Designing a concept for ameliorating the social impact caused by privatisation and restructuring related redundancy. Analysis of the labour policy, laws and market. In depth analysis of the regional structures for ameliorating unemployment (active and passive measures). Designing a concept to establish regional structures to coordinate and implement employment measures;
• Designing and drafting procedures to monitor compliance of contractual obligations (contract monitoring);
• Designing mechanisms for handling environmental liabilities in the context of privatisation;
• Investor search and sales promotion;
• In-depth cluster and sector analysis of privatisation impact and post-privatisation performance;
• Development of a concept for setting up a bankruptcy department within the SPA to handle the cases of state and socially owned enterprises undergoing bankruptcy procedure;
• Preparing and implementing internal procedures for administrating bankruptcy cases in line with the overall implementation of the newly defined legal framework
• Advising on PR an marketing activities aiming on communication with the public and potential investors; design of a communication programme for public education

Capacity building at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Economic Policy and Development and chair of the Office for Economic Policy and Development (OEPD) responsible for implementation of the ‘Economic Reform Agenda’. The assignment primerely consisted in organisational and administrative improvements in Policy formulation, coordination and implementation. Particular focus of the Economic Reform Policy was the strengthening of SME.

Advisory support was provided to the DPM Office on:

(a)  Organisational and administrative improvements, including, but not limited to:

• Developing institutional and technical capacity in steering, coordinating and monitoring policy making and implementation of the Economic Reform Agenda;
• Development of and putting into practice an efficient methodology for Monitoring the implementation of the Cabinet of Ministers' and DPM acts related to economic policy and development matters in line with best EU practice;

(b)  Building capacity for more effective policy formulation and implementation;

• Assistance in prioritisation and implementation economic reform measures;
• Improving the coordination of TA and providing inputs for future programming of EAR TA in the area of enterprise development.

(C) Private Sector Development and support to economic reforms:

• Designing and conducting a survey of the private sector with particular focus on SME to identify required policy measures to enhance business environment, export activities, access to capital and FDI.

The task consisted in strengthening the capacity of the Privatisation Agency for compliance monitoring of Sales Purchase Agreements (SPAs), which were concluded in the context of SME privatisation. The project included a strong component of institution building and developing administrative procedures, since it provided for defining and systematising the interaction of different governmental and administrative bodies.