kmniazi - 10:42pm Nov 3, 2006 PST


Development Professional

Dear All,





I dont have a story about meeting people, but would like to get some leads about people.





I am currently working for a Non-Profit Matching Grant Fund promoting use of BDS Services by agribusiness enterprises in Pakistan. We are focused on agribusiness, as agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan's economy. Nearly twenty-two percent of total output (GDP) and 44.8 percent of total employment is generated by the Sector. It not only contributes substantially to Pakistan's exports, but as a supplier of raw materials to industry as well as market for industrial products, it acts as a growth engine. However, more needs to be done, especially in promoting growth of micro scale horticultural enterprises and mini processing units to develop a competitive agribusiness sector for the domestic and international markets.





One of the ideas, I am exploring is using Current Students (In Graduate Programs) to come and work on issues faced by agribusinesses, which reduce revenues or increase costs. Example can be, a group of MBA students, who come to Pakistan, talk with relevant stakeholders and then create a complete export marketing plan for that particular sector / cluster (Guava, Apple and Citrus etc). Or Engineering students, who come and develop appropriate technology based processing unit (obtaining lemon juice without it turning bitter etc). The inputs can be both strategic (would prefer this) or tactical in nature.





Another idea would be to approach the Management Consultancies firms and ask them to undertake some pro-bono work (on their sites, they say they do it).





Now my Organization should be able to pay the costs (say transportation, accommodation, a bit of overheads etc), with the students / consultants volunteering their time.





I need to know the following:





a. how practical this idea is. e.g. Would Students / Alumni (Consultants) be interested in working on a volunteer basis to support small enterprises in a developing Country?





b. If yes, what would be the terms & conditions?





c. Does anyone know of any such program? If you can put me in touch with someone (People running such a program in Universities & Consulting Firms with who I can discuss details, it would be very useful.





I am in the process of developing the proposal and the inputs would help me in creating a convincing proposal. Any help would be highly appreciated.





Finally, I would like to thank you for the attention. I am hoping for a positive response.





Regards





Kamran Niazi

kmniazi - 10:42pm Nov 3, 2006 PST



Development Professional

Dear All,







I dont have a story about meeting people, but would like to get some leads about people.







I am currently working for a Non-Profit Matching Grant Fund promoting use of BDS Services by agribusiness enterprises in Pakistan. We are focused on agribusiness, as agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan's economy. Nearly twenty-two percent of total output (GDP) and 44.8 percent of total employment is generated by the Sector. It not only contributes substantially to Pakistan's exports, but as a supplier of raw materials to industry as well as market for industrial products, it acts as a growth engine. However, more needs to be done, especially in promoting growth of micro scale horticultural enterprises and mini processing units to develop a competitive agribusiness sector for the domestic and international markets.







One of the ideas, I am exploring is using Current Students (In Graduate Programs) to come and work on issues faced by agribusinesses, which reduce revenues or increase costs. Example can be, a group of MBA students, who come to Pakistan, talk with relevant stakeholders and then create a complete export marketing plan for that particular sector / cluster (Guava, Apple and Citrus etc). Or Engineering students, who come and develop appropriate technology based processing unit (obtaining lemon juice without it turning bitter etc). The inputs can be both strategic (would prefer this) or tactical in nature.







Another idea would be to approach the Management Consultancies firms and ask them to undertake some pro-bono work (on their sites, they say they do it).







Now my Organization should be able to pay the costs (say transportation, accommodation, a bit of overheads etc), with the students / consultants volunteering their time.







I need to know the following:







a. how practical this idea is. e.g. Would Students / Alumni (Consultants) be interested in working on a volunteer basis to support small enterprises in a developing Country?







b. If yes, what would be the terms & conditions?







c. Does anyone know of any such program? If you can put me in touch with someone (People running such a program in Universities & Consulting Firms with who I can discuss details, it would be very useful.







I am in the process of developing the proposal and the inputs would help me in creating a convincing proposal. Any help would be highly appreciated.







Finally, I would like to thank you for the attention. I am hoping for a positive response.







Regards







Kamran Niazi

contact me and we can discuss your ideas in detail

cesarflor@yahoo.com