PSD Services

MENA x

Role: PhD research
Region: Europe
Year: 2021-2024
Client: University of Padova

Role: Team Leader
Region: MENA (Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia)
Year: 2018-2019
Client: UNIDO

Team Leader of a team of seven National Experts in regional gender-sensitive value-chain mapping in seven countries: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia in the framework of the project “Promoting Women’s Empowerment (PWE) for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in the MENA Region” (phase II).

Role: Rural Market Analyst
Region: Western Asia (Turkey)
Year: 2017
Client: IFAD

A market study was prepared on mountainous product value-chains in the framework of the design and formulation of a new project (Uplands Rural Development Project) aimed at retaining youth on mountainous areas. Together with conventional market study elements such as market channels, tradeable volumes and proposing a marketing strategy and responsibilities, the work encompassed a risk-assessment on typical smallholder mountainous produce based on historical demand-price curves by priority local commodity, a through analysis of organic agriculture potential and of applicability of quality certifications and branding.

Role: PSD Expert
Region: Middle East
Year: 2016
Client: Icon Institut (AFD)

In the framework of the Private Sector Development Cluster Project (PSDCP) financed by the Agence Française de Développement, the draft national cluster policy was assessed against state-of-the-art cluster policy international cases and benchmarking systems, considering the local context. Together with such analysis, further technical assistance was provided to assess public-private dialogue mechanisms, to expand range of Customs and VAT handling in export, and in capitalizing the five-year cluster project knowledge.

Role: PSD expert
Region: Middle East (Syria)
Year 2010
Client: MAECI

Design / formulation of the second phase of the Industrial Modernization and Upgrading Project Syria implemented by UNIDO and the Syrian Ministry of Industry, expanding the reach from textile to the agri-food industry.

Role: Marketing Expert
Region: Middle East North Africa (Jordan) and Europe (United Kingdom)
Year: 2009
Client: Jordan Upgrading Modernization Project (financed by the European Commission)

The market study was requested by a Jordanian SME on highest potential EU markets for their product lines. A market analysis and a 110 respondent research were carried out in UK, Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg to prioritize access markets and draft an access strategy.

Role: Investment Promotion Expert and Deputy Head of Investment Promotion Unit
Region: Middle East (Jordan)
Year: 2001-2003
Client: UNIDO (MAECI financing)

Long-term resident and International Expert of an investment promotion unit nested in the Jordan Investment Board, contributed to train local Investment Promotion Officers in dealing with the private sector, in selecting and communicating FDI and partnership opportunities to be promoted through a Mediterranean network of investment promotion offices and helped interested international investors with location and interaction support services. Helped 15 Jordanian SME to access a soft-loan-based credit line intermediated by commercial banks through business planning support that included strategic assessment, financial modelling (discounted cash flow) and bankable business plan preparation for investment financing. Supported the Central Bank of Jordan in monitoring performances of the credit line.