Asia

CDC Development Solutions works on a range of initiatives in Asia, most recently focused on microfinance and SME development. CDC Development Solutions works with private sector entities such as IBM and local consulting firms, as well as financial services organizations and donor agencies, including the Grassroots Business Fund, USAID, and others. Below, please find brief descriptions of the work that we do in the region. Click here for more information about our work in Asia or contact Tanya Gapeka.

CDS in Asia

China

In China, CDC Development Solutions delivered a series of trainings for executives and managers at the Bank of China in Shanghai, Beijing, and New York. The trainings were conducted by volunteers who were employees of some of the largest banks in the United States, and they increased the competitiveness of the Bank of China domestically and internationally. Trainings for the executives included (1) Treasury Management; (2) Asset Liability Management; (3) Retail Banking Risk Management; and (4) Corporate Banking, including client relationship management, marketing, and product innovations. Our partner in China was the Global Access Corporation.

India

CDC Development Solutions manages two primary programs in India: (1) the Social Enterprise Fellows program for the Grassroots Business Fund (GBF) and (2) the IBM Corporate Service Corps. For GBF, CDC Development Solutions recruits, trains, and fields MBA Enterprise Corps Advisors to provide services to investees in India. MBAEC Advisors provide training and consulting assistance to GBF’s investees in financial management, administration, growth planning, and ICT so that they are able to successfully and sustainably scale their businesses. Also in India, CDC Development Solutions implements the IBM Corporate Service Corps program. In Maharashtra and Gujarat states, CDC Development Solutions and IBM place Corporate Service Corps volunteers who provide services in ICT, marketing, strategic planning, and financial management to SMEs, associations, and NGOs.

Indonesia

After the devastating tsunami in Southeast Asia, CDC Development Solutions worked with Save the Children Indonesia on the development of systems that would promote better integration of NGO procurement activities and local suppliers of goods and services. CDC Development Solutions (1) provided an assessment of the infrastructure development and construction projects in progress in Banda Aceh, (2) recommended ways Save the Children could develop and increase local content by employing more local businesses as suppliers in the construction and other industries, and (3) focused on maintaining quality control while ensuring local participation. This work combined key elements of our Economic Security and Supply Chain Development practice areas, in that it combined best practices working in post-disaster regions with those focused on integrating local suppliers into international supply chains.

South Korea

In South Korea, CDC Development Solutions worked with the Global Access Corporation to support businesses hoping to sell their products in international markets. Our Volunteer Advisors —experts in a range of industries— served on panels that evaluated the viability and export-readiness of products from firms hoping to sell into international markets. Our Volunteer Advisors also provided training and consulting assistance to firms on improving product quality and consistency so they could be considered eligible for export to major markets in Europe and the United States.

Thailand

In Thailand, CDC Development Solutions worked with the Kenan Institute-Asia (KI Asia) to provide training and technical assistance on best business practices for small and medium size businesses in international marketing, ISO certification, manufacturing process improvements, and restructuring. CDS also provided management training for banks on credit management; policy and advocacy training on corporate governance; and project management support to Thai organizations working to improve public health programs for vulnerable populations.

Regional Programs

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan

In 5 countries in Central Asia, CDC Development Solutions worked with the private sector, NGOs, local consulting firms, and government institutions to drive growth, pluralism, and stability through enhancement of the capabilities of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). For a succession of USAID-funded programs, CDS and our MBA Enterprise Corps Advisors provided business advisory services in areas including business training, accounting reform, strategic planning, regional trade promotion, association development, and quality management. Our partners in Central Asia included The Pragma Corporation, USAID, and a number of local consulting entities and governmental institutions.

Back to Top