Contract Amendment 1: 81308506-Technical support for the implementation of economic reforms and state-private sector dialogue in Côte d'Ivoire

The BMZ financed project "Promotion of Economic Reforms and Investments", abbreviated ProREI, has been implemented in Côte d'Ivoire by the GIZ and in cooperation with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, as the political partner, and contributes to the key theme of Ivorian-German development cooperation "Sustainable Economic Development, Employment and Education". Driven by the objective to achieve a structural transformation of its economy, the Ivorian government views the formulation and implementation of economic reforms, covering the key sectors of its economy and in harmony with its long-term vision, a central part of its agenda. Côte d'Ivoire is committed to ongoing efforts to develop and implement reforms aimed at improving the business climate, creating a competitive-friendly environment for the private sector, improving access to financing, and promoting technological innovation and investments. The reforms already formulated are at various stages of maturity. Major challenges have also been encountered throughout the process of formulating, adopting and implementing economic reforms. It is in this context that the ProREI project has been mandated to provide technical assistance to all stakeholders in the ecosystem, including, alongside the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Finance and Budget, the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Development, implementing agencies, consular chambers and private sector professional organizations, in improving the process of formulating, adopting and implementing economic reforms. The objective of the ProREI project is to directly address the improvement of conditions for implementing reforms, including the improvement of institutionalized processes for public-private dialogue and policy evaluation, innovation support, as well as strengthening the capacities of actors involved in these processes. This is based on the realization that the quality of public-private dialogue is essential for reducing the obstacles faced by SMEs in business and investment climate reforms, as well as for designing effective and inclusive structural policies. In addition, evidence-based policymaking, for example through the monitoring and evaluation of economic policy measures, is essential to both. Therefore, the aim of the project is to strengthen the capacities of all key stakeholders within the ecosystem by supporting the implementation of key, prioritized reforms aimed at structural, socio-ecological transformation and improving the competitiveness of the Ivorian economy. Thus, the project aims to improve the policy framework for a competitive and sustainable private sector by supporting reform processes and encouraging private sector investment, also by strengthening the capacities to develop innovative and digital projects. To meet these challenges and achieve the desired results, the project is structured around three main outputs with the following objectives: - Output 1: Public-sector capacity to implement reforms is strengthened. - Output 2: Support from public and private organizations / institutions for the participation of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in reform implementing processes is strengthened. - Output 3: Physical and virtual spaces for green, social and digital innovations are developed in order to trigger the private sector investments and contribute to structural transformation of the Ivorian economy.