A Louis Berger-led consortium has won a 2.3m euro ($2.57m) technical assistance contract for the Burkina Faso Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Artisans and various professional organizations that support private sector development.

The contract is part of the Private Sector Development Support Program, a Burkinabe initiative financed by the European Development Fund.

Daphnée Benayoun, Director of Institutional Development at Louis Berger, said: “Burkina Faso’s private sector is growing, but additional support will accelerate growth, provide more access to export markets and contribute to sustainable development outcomes, such as poverty reduction.”

“We are excited to partner with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Artisans on this important development effort."

The initiative aims to improve private sector competitiveness in Burkina Faso by strengthening the country’s institutional framework, facilitating SME access to credit and developing a national quality management system.

The consortium is responsible for carrying out 40 studies on industrial and trade policy options, certification and development of norms and metrology.

Louis Berger also will provide training for more than 500 people on forty topics, which include program management, human resources, IT proficiency, legislative text development and quality management.

During the next 12 months, these studies and trainings will encourage dialogue between the public and the private sector to improve public authorities’ ability to respond to the needs of the private sector and to build the capacity of professional organizations.

Louis Berger also will support the implementation of the National Quality Management Policy by assisting national quality agencies and laboratories to improve quality assurance throughout the country.

This initiative is part of Burkina Faso’s continual effort to promote the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the primary engines of economic growth and poverty reduction, in the country.

Louis Berger is a $1bn global professional services corporation that helps infrastructure and development clients solve their most complex challenges.

Louis Berger has more than 50 years of experience in Africa and nearly 30 years of experience in Burkina Faso, where the firm has implemented more than 25 projects.

These projects cover a broad range of professional services in the areas of economic and institutional development and transportation.