A team from Dexis Consulting Group helped reduce the procedures involved in companies filing for value added tax (VAT) exemption as well as in the tax itself. The team examined the impact on the Tourism Sector as a result of a new VAT system introduced in March 2006. The impact analysis factored in major issues with regards to firm level competitiveness including high energy costs. The team developed a financial model to calculate the impact of VAT on contracted business and the loss of revenues that would be experienced by businesses during the period in which they would have to maintain pre-VAT contracted rates. The model was used to compute the percentage increase in rate necessary to restore profitability to pre-VAT levels. The proposed recommendations are currently under implementation and will result in reducing period required to file for a refund, from 6 to 2 months, and reduce the VAT rate on tourism services (e.g., dive, tours, restaurants, and other ancillary services) from 15 percent to 10 percent.

Dexis created organizational structure and services charter for industrial estates authority. Determined best prospect industries to promote; developed the marketing strategy. The purpose of the project was to develop a marketing plan for the PFIZ to attract cutting edge industries and high-value employment in the zone and make it one of Malaysia's leading commercial properties. The team successfully developed the organizational structure and services charter for the industrial estates authority, drawing upon international best practices in free-zone marketing and management. Determined the best prospect industries to be promoted in the zone, with a view towards increasing revenue and elevating the profile of the property as a high tech business park. As a result the project created Zone management restructured its operations in line with the Jabal Ali free-zone authority, the leading free-zone agency in the region. Launched an investment promotion outreach program in the capital city as well as Singapore and Thailand, with a view to attract investment in the zone.

Dexis developed the role and strategy for the Saudi Industrial Fund in supporting Saudi enterprise export development efforts. Facilitated diversification of industry support services. The purpose of the project was to develop a unique role for the export consulting unit of the Saudi industrial development fund in order to strengthen the fund's lending portfolio by increasing the exports of its borrower-clients. Activities performed were; 1) Undertook a survey of export support service requirements by firms located in the kingdom. 2) Determined the unique role that the Saudi Industrial Fund could play to support the export development efforts by Saudi enterprises. 3) Provided an implementation plan for the SIDF II and facilitated successful transition from a purely lending to a lending and export services consulting agency in the kingdom. The results were a formation of the first farm-specific export support services agency in the kingdom, a clear, measurable outcome for exports and non-oil diversification provided to the Ministry of Finance. A model for public-private partnerships in export support services. Model is expected to be replicated throughout the region and beyond.

The goals of the project are to develop new and better paying jobs for Moldavian citizens and to increase revenues, investment and financing for these targeted sectors. Preliminary assessments found that although certain Moldavian companies have the quality and design of products that could meet export market, they have limited expertise in approaching the international marketplace. Dexis applied its expertise in managing a team of international industry experts to build these linkages which will catalyze contractual transactions and stimulate increases in production and sales among Moldavian firms. Undertaken as part of USAID/Moldova’s Competitiveness Enhancement and Enterprise Development (CEED) project, a five year, $7.3 million contract which began in September 2005. Created and expanded market linkages in targeted sectors through technical advisory to Moldavian companies. As a result, related direct commercial linkages between Moldavian firms and international buyers in three targeted sectors: textile and apparel, information and communications technology and wine.

A Dexis team developed a comprehensive operations manual to reduce to improve business facilitation services in Antigua's new trade and investment promotion agency. The project purpose was to accelerate investment in the island by fast tracking government support services to potential and current investors. Dexis developed visual maps of service procedures for staff of the agency; identified friction areas in the investment facilitation process and recommended actions to reduce friction. The team packaged all core facilitation services into a single easy-to-use procedure manual; the manual, designed for trainees as well as senior staff, provided a clear roadmap for quick learning and high quality delivery. Project resulted in Antigua's new trade and investment center was the first in the Caribbean to develop a procedures manual of this kind. The work has become a model for other locations and is now the basis for a procedures manual in other locations such as Grenada.

Dexis documented the time, cost and procedures required in business startup and operations in Senegal as input to a regional benchmarking initiative by the World Bank Group The purpose of the project was to Help policymakers in Senegal province diagnose the quality of business climate with a view towards business climate reform. The activities performed were; Gathered data through desk and field research. Adopted a standard questionnaire to compile data across locations. Undertook independent verification of data through cross-referencing, expert interviews and empirical tests Ensured that data was reported in line with given World Bank standards of measurement and presentation As a result, project was the first of its kind for the client and users locations with desktop-ready access to information on real factors impacting investment.

A Dexis team worked with horticulture industry stakeholders to analyze the major areas which could improve international competitiveness and increase exports. The teams purpose was to develop a competitiveness framework to astimulate the growth of the horticulture industry in Ghana. The following activities were performed: (a) Synthesized existing knowledge on horticulture from academic research, site visits and interviews. (b) Proposed actions by all stakeholders – public, private, NGO, donor and government – that would result in measurable change in the immediate and near term. (c) Designed a strategic monitoring framework for the development of the broader horticulture cluster involving the precise mapping of relationships between clusters. As a result, created and disseminated a competitiveness framework for industry stakeholders to increase productivity and exports.

Dexis conducted workshop for business services support staff to train on best practices in technical assistance delivery. The project purpose was to enhance the capacity of the USAID program to provide demand-driven services to clients Activities included: a) trained project staff on developing and delivering presentations and procedures as well as how to put a results-oriented, sales-led and demand-driven approach into practice b) provided direction, assistance, and training to the service provider staff in working with companies to critically assess problems and develop solutions to remove strategic bottlenecks and maximize sales generation c) accompanied trainees on client interviews to apply the lessons learned during the workshop sessions. Project resulted in successfully trained technical assistance providers to support business development in the island.

Dexis analyzed Dominica's customs procedure and legislative and regulatory framework and made recommendations on ways to improve efficiency. The project purpose was to streamline Dominica's administrative systems and procedures for customs and associated risk management. The project conducted a detailed analysis of the current intelligence and risk management framework, reviewed existing Customs and other relevant legislation and made recommendations for the necessary legislative changes. Trained intelligence, risk management, post-clearance audit and investigations teams in policies and procedures for intelligence analysis and risk management techniques. This resulted in streamlined administrative and legislative procedures for customs in Dominica.

Dexis performed analysis of three main apparel companies and provided recommendations related to productivity gains that increased sales and profitability. The purpose was to implement a program for improving firm-level productivity for apparel companies in Moldova Dexis undertook the following activities; (a) Targeted short-term productivity enhancement through optimization of work-flow processes. (b) Linked improvements in information technology equipment to increases in productivity, sales, and profitability for apparel firms. (c)Made specific recommendations for productivity improvement in the short and long term. As a result, improved Moldovan firms' market linkages and enabled quality and productivity gains with faster delivery time and new technologies, one firm attracted an important new client, the Dutch fashion retailer M&S and is in discussion with two other clothing retailers.

Worked with leading Moldovan yarn producer to improve productivity and quality of products. Purpose was to build and enhance productivity and competitiveness thereby increasing sales and exports for the biggest yarn producer for rugs in Moldova. Dexis assessed progress of firm in implementing previous recommendations for improved quality and productivity, analyzed the quality of finished yarn and the entire technological process in order to make recommendations on areas where additional improvements are needed, and worked closely with the firm's technical team to address specific problems and critiques made by a Polish rug manufacturer, their major target customer. The project results were improved quality and productivity for this large Moldovan yarn producer.

Dexis worked directly with a promising apparel manufacturer to improve productivity and quality of production. The project’s purpose was to provide support to a Moldovan apparel firm to deepen understanding of production management techniques, quality control methods, and operator monitoring and performance. Activities performed were: (a) Recommended essential management techniques and tools, and demonstrated how they can be used for timely decision making regarding the entire production process. (b) Developed a series of procedures covering all aspects of the manufacturing process and advised on best-practices for measuring and monitoring production quality and efficiency, including the performance of specific production lines and operators. (c) Assisted the firm’s technologists to develop an organization flow for launching new styles. As a result, assisted this Moldovan apparel company in adopting modern and internationally recognized production management practices and operating successfully while managing rapid growth.

Held workshop and designed productivity enhancement program for top apparel producers in Moldova. The purpose was to assist Moldovan apparel producers to adopt modern and internationally recognized production management practices to operate successfully and manage rapid growth. Dexis undertook the following: (a) Facilitated workshop for senior managers and technologists from Moldovan apparel manufacturers. (b) Promoted industry and enterprise upgrading in the apparel sector by training producers on use of higher value-added services. (c) Trained sector on sourcing/manufacturing concepts, the value proposition of firms can offer at each level, the human resources, skills/knowledge, and technology. Resulted in improved productivity to help Moldovan apparel producers to move into higher-valued added sourcing schemes by identifying common problems and introducing tools and methods to improve performance.

Assisted Moldovan spinning company Covoare-Ungheni in solving production problem causing poor yarn qualities, which have had a negative impact on the quality of finished carpets. The project’s purpose was to assess progress to date and complete a technical audit of the spinning process as well as to provide hands-on technical training to the company’s technical staff. Dexis activites included: (a) Conducted a thorough technical audit of the spinning process and provided training to the technical staff on how to correctly calibrate the equipment to ensure high quality yarn and reduce losses. (b) Recommended a technical/technological solution for upgrading the spinning process, which will solved major problems persisting to date including striping, staining, and unraveling. (c) Performed follow up audit to ensure that the firm's staff have learned and are using proper calibration methods. The project improved yarn quality produced for major customers. Saved Covoare-Ungheni from unnecessarily spending an estimated $3 million in technical equipment investment and, most importantly, salvaged hundreds of jobs for Moldovans.

Dexis performed an assessment of productivity in the selected apparel companies and assisted in implementing prescribed recommendations. The project purpose was to improve the production efficiency of Moldovan apparel companies with the objective of increasing sales and profitability. The project undertook the following activities; (a) Conducted an assessment of the current productivity level in the selected apparel companies. (b) Described existing production management methods and workflow organization used by the company and identifies the bottlenecks in the operation methods, and identified critical points to improve productivity. (c) Reviewed and monitored progress made by the companies in implementing the productivity enhancement program and assist in finding solutions to any special problems or issues that have emerged. As a result, enabled productivity enhancements including reducing unit cost of production, increasing wages and profit margins, increasing investment in technical productivity enhancement and increased in sales.

Dexis carried out a pre-strategy assessment of the Moldovan wine industry as the basis for development of a wine sector strategy. The purpose of the project was to improve the competitiveness of the Moldovan wine industry. Dexis and a team of four wine experts assessed the current state of Moldova’s wine sector. They benchmarked Moldova against regional and international best practices in wine production and delivery and recommended steps for how the Moldovan wine industry can adapt and become more competitive on the international market. As a result the project performed assessment and analysis focused on: the global outlook for wine trade and recommended strategies for country marketing and promotion and branding.

Dexis provided a range of cluster development, monitoring, and management interventions to key economic sectors in Ghana. Providing the market and investment linkages with international firms to help generate exports. The purpose of the project was to provide a range of economic policy and enterprise support interventions to Ghanaian policy makers and practitioners. Strengthen exports in regional and international markets and developing a sound macroeconomic base for sustainable growth. Activities performed were developing cluster monitoring and management programs for key industries such as horticulture, tourism, and light manufacturing, developing outreach programs to increase business and investment activity in Ghana and proposing next-generation economic activities to increase productivity and employment in Ghana. As a result analytical framework for cluster management and monitoring is now used as standard for all related interventions. Initial intervention in horticulture has trained over 50 stakeholders involved in the entire horticulture value chain.

Dexis developed performance management tools to promote and strengthen the high value horticulture industry in Ghana. The purpose of the project was to contribute to the promotion, management, and monitoring of Ghanaian horticulture industry development and promotion. The team worked with firms in Ghana to promote the country's export competitiveness in the high value horticulture industry (pineapples, mangoes, papayas, vegetables and cashews). The team identified issues most that affect the industry's success (such as transport, standards, quality control, access to new markets, innovative technologies) and proposed methods to improve value-added, costs and productivity. The team held a workshop in Ghana with business leaders to develop these key themes and a vision for the industry's future. As a result the work has educated the industry tools needed to grow their businesses and methods to work together.

Dexis undertook a study of the maize sector in Ghana to improve supply to the market with the desired product or service at the right price, in the right place, at the right time, in the right form, and at the right standard in an efficient, competitive manner that sustains both the producer and all those along the chain to final consumer. The purpose of this market chain analysis was to identify how to collaboratively and strategically intervene to improve commercial maize chain management to enhance competitiveness benefiting all the “links” along the chain. As a result recommended courses of action (the what, who, where, how), providing an estimate of benefits expected defined in terms of the indicators agreed to during week one, e.g., farmer households reached, farm-gate income from maize, employment, infrastructure improvements, etc

Dexis performed an environmental assessment of the impact of USAID activities in Ghana based upon recommendations from an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). Purpose of the project was to assess USAID activities and recommend measures to limit harmful environmental effects. Dexis reviewed activities being implemented and proposed to be implemented, prepared a Mitigation and Monitoring plan to manage the environmental impact of these USAID programs and surveyed USAID project staff regarding pesticide use, including pesticides that field staff proposed to recommend and for which they propose to provide advice or training. As a result delivered report on mitigating and monitoring environmental impact and trained staff on implementation.

Dexis performed an environmental assessment of the impact of USAID activities in Ghana based upon recommendations from an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). Purpose of the project was to assess USAID activities and recommend measures to limit harmful environmental effects. Dexis reviewed activities being implemented and proposed to be implemented, prepared a Mitigation and Monitoring plan to manage the environmental impact of these USAID programs and surveyed USAID project staff regarding pesticide use, including pesticides that field staff proposed to recommend and for which they propose to provide advice or training. As a result delivered report on mitigating and monitoring environmental impact and trained staff on implementation.

Dexis advised Acorex, a major Moldovan wine producer, on improving its sanitary and production conditions and prepared the winery for the evaluation visit of UK buyers. The project’s purpose was to assist this Moldovan wine producer in meeting quality and production standard to stimulate increased exports and profitability. Undertook complete inspection of Acorex wine production and processing facilities and evaluated them in accordance with the requirements sought by wine importers. Produced report highlighting major issues in quality control standards, outlining the problematic production areas, as well as operations and sanitary issues. Made recommendations for improving operations and facilities along with clear instructions on what changes should be made and suggested suppliers of equipment and services. As a result the project helped Acorex, successfully introduce a new wine brand "Taking Root" into the UK market.

Dexis facilitated workshop for Moldavian wine producers related to sales and marketing in Western markets, and supported their participation in a major trade fair. The purpose of the project was to train executive management of Moldovan wine companies of The Moldovan Wine Guild on how to target customers in the UK market. Dexis undertook the following activities: (a) Led a two-day workshop about wine sales and marketing in Western markets in general and the UK market in particular. (b) Made recommendations to enable Moldovan executive management to improvement general management skills and enable creative problem solving. (c) Led a seminar discussion about the Moldovan wine industry concentrating on positive attributes of the sector, positive developments in the industry, and the country’s potential to produce high-quality wines. As a result, assisted Moldovan wine firms in approaching potential UK customers with the objective of increasing the volume and value of Moldovan wine sold.