BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a50ea4d04d1e DTSTART:20260303T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20260303T163000Z LOCATION:Cotonou\, Benin SUMMARY:From local production to regional value chains – Capacity-buildin g training for SMEs from Benin and Togo CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:In Benin and Togo\, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a re the backbone of the economy. In Togo\, for instance\, they account for 99% of registered businesses and generate around 80% of GDP.While SMEs hav e demonstrated sustained growth\, their performance remains constrained by gaps in entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities. These gaps limit the ir ability to develop viable business models\, access appropriate financin g\, comply with certification and quality standards\, and identify\, acces s\, and participate effectively in regional value chains.In this context\, UNCTAD\, in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Ent erprises and Employment Promotion of Benin\, the Ministry responsible for Trade and Quality Control of Togo\, and the Centre de Promotion et d’Enc adrement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (CePEPE)–Empretec centre Be nin\, delivers a training workshop for Benin and Togo SMEs\, in the agro-p rocessing sectors. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of 24 smal l businesses from both countries and to support them integrate into region al and continental value chains. This training builds on previous initiati ves under the UNCTAD project “Strengthening the capacity of African vuln erable countries to adopt policy incentives and innovative instruments for SME participation in regional value chains.”Key objectives of the works hop include:Developing entrepreneurial skills through the Empretec methodo logy\, delivered by certified Empretec trainers.Improving understanding of regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA ).Strengthening compliance with quality standards and certification.Facili tating access to finance and investment readiness.Promoting institutional support and networking among SMEs.Participants will also benefit from post -training coaching and networking opportunities.Eligibility criteria for S MEs:Formally registered\, with TPME status (for Togo) and MPME attestation (for Benin)Small and medium-sized businesses with 10 to 100 employeesAnnu al turnover of up to 500 million FCFAIn any of the following agro-processi ng sectors: fruits\, cashew nuts\, fish products\, juices\, edible oils\, spices\, cosmetics\, dairy products\, etc. or in any related services: log istics\, transportation\, packaging\, maintenance\, storage\, quality cert ification\, digital services for SMEsInterested/engaged in cross-border tr ade (ECOWAS countries or under the AfCFTA)Committed to attend all sessions .https://unctad.org/topic/enterprise-development/Empretec\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/local-production-regional-value- chains-capacity-building-training-smes-benin-and-togo DTSTAMP:20260710T124917Z END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a50ea4d04d61 DTSTART:20260304T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20260304T163000Z LOCATION:Cotonou\, Benin SUMMARY:From local production to regional value chains – Capacity-buildin g training for SMEs from Benin and Togo CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:In Benin and Togo\, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a re the backbone of the economy. In Togo\, for instance\, they account for 99% of registered businesses and generate around 80% of GDP.While SMEs hav e demonstrated sustained growth\, their performance remains constrained by gaps in entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities. These gaps limit the ir ability to develop viable business models\, access appropriate financin g\, comply with certification and quality standards\, and identify\, acces s\, and participate effectively in regional value chains.In this context\, UNCTAD\, in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Ent erprises and Employment Promotion of Benin\, the Ministry responsible for Trade and Quality Control of Togo\, and the Centre de Promotion et d’Enc adrement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (CePEPE)–Empretec centre Be nin\, delivers a training workshop for Benin and Togo SMEs\, in the agro-p rocessing sectors. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of 24 smal l businesses from both countries and to support them integrate into region al and continental value chains. This training builds on previous initiati ves under the UNCTAD project “Strengthening the capacity of African vuln erable countries to adopt policy incentives and innovative instruments for SME participation in regional value chains.”Key objectives of the works hop include:Developing entrepreneurial skills through the Empretec methodo logy\, delivered by certified Empretec trainers.Improving understanding of regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA ).Strengthening compliance with quality standards and certification.Facili tating access to finance and investment readiness.Promoting institutional support and networking among SMEs.Participants will also benefit from post -training coaching and networking opportunities.Eligibility criteria for S MEs:Formally registered\, with TPME status (for Togo) and MPME attestation (for Benin)Small and medium-sized businesses with 10 to 100 employeesAnnu al turnover of up to 500 million FCFAIn any of the following agro-processi ng sectors: fruits\, cashew nuts\, fish products\, juices\, edible oils\, spices\, cosmetics\, dairy products\, etc. or in any related services: log istics\, transportation\, packaging\, maintenance\, storage\, quality cert ification\, digital services for SMEsInterested/engaged in cross-border tr ade (ECOWAS countries or under the AfCFTA)Committed to attend all sessions .https://unctad.org/topic/enterprise-development/Empretec\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/local-production-regional-value- chains-capacity-building-training-smes-benin-and-togo DTSTAMP:20260710T124917Z END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a50ea4d04d67 DTSTART:20260305T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20260305T163000Z LOCATION:Cotonou\, Benin SUMMARY:From local production to regional value chains – Capacity-buildin g training for SMEs from Benin and Togo CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:In Benin and Togo\, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a re the backbone of the economy. In Togo\, for instance\, they account for 99% of registered businesses and generate around 80% of GDP.While SMEs hav e demonstrated sustained growth\, their performance remains constrained by gaps in entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities. These gaps limit the ir ability to develop viable business models\, access appropriate financin g\, comply with certification and quality standards\, and identify\, acces s\, and participate effectively in regional value chains.In this context\, UNCTAD\, in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Ent erprises and Employment Promotion of Benin\, the Ministry responsible for Trade and Quality Control of Togo\, and the Centre de Promotion et d’Enc adrement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (CePEPE)–Empretec centre Be nin\, delivers a training workshop for Benin and Togo SMEs\, in the agro-p rocessing sectors. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of 24 smal l businesses from both countries and to support them integrate into region al and continental value chains. This training builds on previous initiati ves under the UNCTAD project “Strengthening the capacity of African vuln erable countries to adopt policy incentives and innovative instruments for SME participation in regional value chains.”Key objectives of the works hop include:Developing entrepreneurial skills through the Empretec methodo logy\, delivered by certified Empretec trainers.Improving understanding of regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA ).Strengthening compliance with quality standards and certification.Facili tating access to finance and investment readiness.Promoting institutional support and networking among SMEs.Participants will also benefit from post -training coaching and networking opportunities.Eligibility criteria for S MEs:Formally registered\, with TPME status (for Togo) and MPME attestation (for Benin)Small and medium-sized businesses with 10 to 100 employeesAnnu al turnover of up to 500 million FCFAIn any of the following agro-processi ng sectors: fruits\, cashew nuts\, fish products\, juices\, edible oils\, spices\, cosmetics\, dairy products\, etc. or in any related services: log istics\, transportation\, packaging\, maintenance\, storage\, quality cert ification\, digital services for SMEsInterested/engaged in cross-border tr ade (ECOWAS countries or under the AfCFTA)Committed to attend all sessions .https://unctad.org/topic/enterprise-development/Empretec\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/local-production-regional-value- chains-capacity-building-training-smes-benin-and-togo DTSTAMP:20260710T124917Z END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a50ea4d04d6c DTSTART:20260306T080000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20260306T163000Z LOCATION:Cotonou\, Benin SUMMARY:From local production to regional value chains – Capacity-buildin g training for SMEs from Benin and Togo CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:In Benin and Togo\, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a re the backbone of the economy. In Togo\, for instance\, they account for 99% of registered businesses and generate around 80% of GDP.While SMEs hav e demonstrated sustained growth\, their performance remains constrained by gaps in entrepreneurial and managerial capabilities. These gaps limit the ir ability to develop viable business models\, access appropriate financin g\, comply with certification and quality standards\, and identify\, acces s\, and participate effectively in regional value chains.In this context\, UNCTAD\, in collaboration with the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Ent erprises and Employment Promotion of Benin\, the Ministry responsible for Trade and Quality Control of Togo\, and the Centre de Promotion et d’Enc adrement des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (CePEPE)–Empretec centre Be nin\, delivers a training workshop for Benin and Togo SMEs\, in the agro-p rocessing sectors. The training aims to strengthen the capacity of 24 smal l businesses from both countries and to support them integrate into region al and continental value chains. This training builds on previous initiati ves under the UNCTAD project “Strengthening the capacity of African vuln erable countries to adopt policy incentives and innovative instruments for SME participation in regional value chains.”Key objectives of the works hop include:Developing entrepreneurial skills through the Empretec methodo logy\, delivered by certified Empretec trainers.Improving understanding of regional value chains and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA ).Strengthening compliance with quality standards and certification.Facili tating access to finance and investment readiness.Promoting institutional support and networking among SMEs.Participants will also benefit from post -training coaching and networking opportunities.Eligibility criteria for S MEs:Formally registered\, with TPME status (for Togo) and MPME attestation (for Benin)Small and medium-sized businesses with 10 to 100 employeesAnnu al turnover of up to 500 million FCFAIn any of the following agro-processi ng sectors: fruits\, cashew nuts\, fish products\, juices\, edible oils\, spices\, cosmetics\, dairy products\, etc. or in any related services: log istics\, transportation\, packaging\, maintenance\, storage\, quality cert ification\, digital services for SMEsInterested/engaged in cross-border tr ade (ECOWAS countries or under the AfCFTA)Committed to attend all sessions .https://unctad.org/topic/enterprise-development/Empretec\n\nView meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/meeting/local-production-regional-value- chains-capacity-building-training-smes-benin-and-togo DTSTAMP:20260710T124917Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR