| IMC have designed and are currently implementing a comprehensive programme of technical assistance and support to assist with the restructuring of a number of state-owned enterprises. The ultimate aim of the project is to contribute to economic and social welfare through the development of efficient and profitable enterprises operating in the private sector. The design had to ensure social issues arising from restructuring and privatisation were to be addressed, and also considered the institutional options for the delivery of the project. IMC conducted the design phase through close consultation with all the appropriate ministries in both the ethnic divisions of the territory and have made significant efforts to ensure that the programme is equitable in its attention to industries in either sector.
Project implementation started earlier this year and is to be executed in five main areas of activity:
- assisting selected newly privatised enterprises (at least 30) to restructure their businesses to ensure profitable future operations;
- addressing social issues and effects of possible redundancies as a result of restructuring through development of enterprise-level social plans, counselling and job-search services, and initiatives at enterprise and community level to assist re-deployment of workers;
- assisting the development of a commercial market for consulting services and increase local capacity through engagement and training of suitable local experts (at least 50) and the identification and contracting of suitable local service providers (at least 10) to provide enterprise restructuring related services;
- promoting an awareness of the value of such services through introduction of a charging mechanism for them;
- wide dissemination of the techniques used in, and results obtained from, the restructuring process to promote awareness in the private sector generally of the benefits of the services provided.
Enterprises will be selected for assistance based on a number of criteria including potential viability, economic benefits, willingness and ability to pay and general profile factors including replicability. IMC’s project team will work closely with local stakeholders to ensure sustainability and local engagement.
Types of service include:
- Project design
- Project management and procurement
- Provision of long term and short term experts
- Policy input on PSD
- Labour market impact assessment
- Institutional development and local consultant training
- Specialist technical assistance in all areas of industrial management
- Development of social plans
- Job counselling and job search services
- Design and implementation of pilot re-deployment initiatives
- Promotion of project activities
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