SQW was commissioned as lead consultant to undertake a review of the strategic direction, business model, financial viability and management structure of HKPC. The HKPC employed 600 staff, and had for over 25 years played a key role in enhancing the productivity of Hong Kong industry and encouraging technology upgrading and innovation. But its traditional role had been challenged by the movement of most manufacturing activities into mainland China and the establishment of other organisations in Hong Kong. A radical rethink of future role and structure was therefore required.
SQW is working with Menon Business Economics to undertake a desk based review of barriers to SME formation and growth in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on three East African countries – Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – and on access to finance for firms in the formal economy.
SQW, together with two other UK-based consultancies with regional offices in Hong Kong (GMI and Shankland Cox), were commissioned to formulate plans for reform of the service sector in Shanghai and redevelopment of the central commercial area of the city. The main objective was to facilitate the growth of Shanghai as an international financial and business centre for China, and of a wide range of services to support rapid industrialisation and economic development in the Yangtse Basin, a region with a population of 300 million of which Shanghai is the natural gateway city. The immediate catalyst for city centre redevelopment…
The main objective of the project was to prepare a concept plan as the first stage of a full feasibility and business planning study for a 6 sq km area of Guangzhou which is to be developed as a science district. The area has been formally designated as a software development zone, with attractions for inward investors and local companies. The area is close to the new business centre of Guangzhou, to the city’s main universities, and to the main highway and rail line to Hong Kong. The concept plan was based on an analysis of the likely scale and…
SQW was contracted by the IFC to undertake a mid-term evaluation of the China Project Development Facility. The aim was to provide donors and the IFC with an independent assessment of CPDF’s activities and outcomes to date and to help donors decide on their funding options for CPDF’s next cycle. Project work involved consulting with key stakeholder groups, undertaking a survey of programme beneficiaries, financial analysis of the CPDF as well as assessing its development impact. The report detailed lessons learned and made recommendations for the future.
An economic cooperative strategy to mutually stimulate the development of the two places by combining their respective resources, strengths and capabilities. The maritime route joining the two places is also one of the key links of the “One Belt, One Road”, a global economic trading network being created by the Chinese government.
SQW was commissioned to develop the detailed design for phase 2 of SEDF, which will run from 2008 to 2014. The design was developed based on experience to date with phase 1 (for which SQW undertook the mid term review in 2005), the expectations of donors (SEDF is funded by IFC, the European Commission, DfID and several other bi-lateral donors) and changing constraints and opportunities in the region (including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and North East India).
SQW was contracted by IFC to support preparation of a support strategy and action plan for the agri0business sector in Bangladesh. The SEDF supports SME growth and has chosen to adopt a sector focused approach, with agri-business being one of the target sectors due to its importance to the economy and potential for productivity and income improvements among SMEs. The support was provided to SEDF staff to develop an action programme drawing on best international practice, but tailored to local needs ad opportunities.
SEED is a multi donor, multi country programme operating in the Balkans to support SME development. SQW worked with Nexus to undertake the review and recommend how SEED should develop in future. SQW’s role was to undertake all fieldwork and analysis for, and to contribute to the final report.
SQW was contracted by the IFC to undertake a review of the SME Linkages Program. As part of the review, SQW produced a summary paper on Linkages best practice and reviewed four IFC Linkage programmes in depth (involving fieldwork in Azerbaijan, Mozambique, Zambia and Peru) and five others through desk research. The aim was to compare and contrast the various programmes, identify lessons learned, draw conclusions on effectiveness and provide recommendations on how to incorporate best practice into future Linkage programmes.
