Afghanistan Marketplace Project - Canadian International Development Agency

Upper Quartile has been commissioned by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and DFID to undertake a review of the Afghanistan Marketplace Project.  The Marketplace project is operated by the Peace Dividend Trust and is funded by the Government of Canada through CIDA on a national basis, with DFID separately supporting a specific initiative for Helmand province. 

The project aims to help the Government of Afghanistan strengthen its private sector, especially domestic markets, by increasing the local procurement of goods and services by international donors, Embassies and the military.  It also supports local businesses to win contracts with those buyers.  It provides market information to buyers and sellers, advice on quality standards and purchasing methods and a series of business events to bring buyers and sellers together.  Overall it is intended to help build the capacity of the Afghan private sector which is essential to bringing economic stability to the country. 

The purpose of the review we will be doing is to assess the impact of the Project so far and to make recommendations on its future direction.  David Crichton will be leading the review and will be undertaking field work in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand commencing late June.  This is the first assignment that we have won with CIDA and we are delighted to welcome them as a new client.      

 For more information please contact david@upperquartile.co.uk