Firm re-engineering is the rapid and radical redesign of strategic, value added business processes and the supporting systems, policies and organisational structures. In the context of the Private Sector Development component of ecbp, the program aims at improving the competitiveness and productivity of selected sectors: textile and garments, leather and leather products, agro-processing, construction and pharmaceutical and chemical.
A study conducted on firm re-engineering indicates that firms have struggled to maintain their market presence, often reviewing their prices. The most important re-engineering issues at firm level are infusion of market related knowledge and information, connection to markets and technology as well as the mobilization of investments funds. Operational issues also require attention. As market demands and competition are constantly changing, re-engineering is not to be understood as a one-off activity, but as a process of constantly monitoring environment, in which an enterprise operates and devising suitable actions to react to the changes of that environment.
Within the pilot phase twelve Ethiopian companies are participating in the re-engineering program. The intervention will start with the analyses of current business processes in the companies, which will be followed by the development of enhanced process designs and their respective implementation.
Until the end of 2007 the overall goal of ecbp is to re-engineer a total of 27 companies from the named sectors. At the same time the program aims also to improve the service capabilities of local business development service providers and sectorial associations.
In his opening address H.E. Ato Tadesse Haile, State Minister of Trade and Industry, stressed that he is confident that “the companies selected for the re-engineering project will benefit and the success stories be replicated.”
