Economic and Employment Promotion

The engines of economic growth and job creation are a vigorous private sector and a well-functioning financial system. As the challenges of globalisation are significant and ever-evolving, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across all sectors need to be facilitated and supported to be able to innovate, improve productivity though product and process upgrading, and identify and exploit market opportunities.

A coherent national competitiveness strategy plays a major role in boosting companies’ competitiveness by creating and enabling a business environment where:

  • Adequate infrastructure and regulatory frameworks, including business financing, are in place;
  • Suitable skilled labour force is made available through developing (Technical) Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs that work jointly with the private sector;
  • Linkages/partnerships between relevant public and private stakeholders, including academia and civil society, are facilitated.

Additionally, in an increasingly dominating global economy, the need of harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) has become more evident. As globalisation has enhanced the dissemination of knowledge and expertise, there is a pressing need to couple STI outcomes with business enterprises and practical applications in the industrial and technical domains.

Our services contribute to reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 “Decent Work and Economic Growth”.

Business Development

  • Business Regulatory Environment improvement
  • Public-Private Partnerships
  • Value Chain Development
  • Business Development Services
  • Entrepreneurship Promotion, Incubation & Acceleration
  • Support to private sector organisations/ associations
  • Youth employment, Women’s economic empowerment and integration of marginalised groups
  • Occupational Health & Safety

 

Trade and Investment Promotion

  • Access to international markets
  • Trade fair participation
  • Investor search and matchmaking
  • Standards and certification

 

Green Businesses and Circular Development

  • Green policy advisory
  • Green business cases
  • Sustainable and circular materials and production methods

Micro and SME Finance

  • Access to Finance for (M)SMEs
  • Financing mechanisms and Fund Management
  • Financial Institutions Development, incl. Portfolio Management and Insurance
  • Financial Literacy
  • Women’s Financial Inclusion
  • Green and Climate Finance
  • Digital Finance

 

Financial Sector Supervision

  • Financial sector policies and regulatory frameworks
  • Advisory to Central Banks
  • Greening Financial Management
  • Restructuring the internal management, Training, Management Information System (MIS)
  • Regulatory framework safeguarding customers rights
  • Risk Management

Labour Market Demand and Matching

  • Labour Market Information System
  • Active Labour Market Policies
  • Career guidance and counselling
  • Employment Services

 

Vocational Education & Training / Labour Market supply side

  • Legal frameworks and TVET reform
  • Public-private partnerships
  • Occupational standards and curricula
  • Formal and informal TVET provision
  • Centres of Vocational Excellence
  • Workshop design and procurement of equipment

 

Labour Market and Employment

  • Labour market and employment strategies and reform processes
  • Systems and trainings in career counselling
  • Platforms and networks for stakeholders in the field of VET and employment
  • Labour market information and systems for job search

 

For further ICON expertise related to the field of Education and Training please click here.