Background

The Business Opportunities and Support Services (BOSS) Project is a 5 year project (2010 - 2015) jointly funded by Irish Aid and NZAID with the key objective of contributing directly to the generation of pro-poor economic development and quality employment for women and men and indirectly to peace consolidation and conflict prevention. BOSS offers a unique and innovative approach in Timor Leste by working from a market-based approach to development through value chain and enterprise development within the Institute of Business Support (IADE), the implementation arm of the Secretary of State for the Support and Promotion of the Private Sector (SEAPRI).

Under Immediate Objective 2: Nation-wide access to enhanced and innovative market / need orientated business development services, IADE has set up a Business Innovation Facility (BIF) to foster innovative business ideas and to support existing or aspiring entrepreneurs in starting an innovative business. This undertaking has to be seen against the context of very weak entrepreneurship and a limited understanding of what innovative means. Enterprises are hampered by weak managerial and entrepreneurial skills and knowledge. Limited access to finance, lack of market access, access to technology and product quality as well as ineffective use of local resources all significantly thwart business innovation and growth. Innovative products or services are identified either through business plan competitions, potential clients applying directly to IADE or by IADE itself identifying through consultation local products and services that have potential for quality improvement, innovation and diversification. The new Facility will offer clients a package of 1) business development services, 2) access to technology and 3) access to financial services (loan through BNCTL or matching grant), the finance can be used by the enterprise to purchase equipment needed to start the business.

The first company to receive the support from IADE is Talho Moris. Talho Moris is a new butcher shop that is about to open in central Dili. It will source the meat from EBAI abattoir to ensure high quality meat but do the processing themselves. They will offer meat and meat products some of them new to the Dili market such as locally produced high quality bakso. They will also in addition to walk-in Timorese and Malay customers deliver meat to restaurants and smaller supermarkets. The opening of a new butcher shop will contribute to decreased reliance on imported meat and provide farmers in the districts with an expanded market for their animals, which will long-term increase their income.

The support by IADE to Talho Moris has been decided by the board of BIF based on the following criteria 1) The business idea or business is innovative, 2) There is a market demand for the product/service in Timor Leste, 3) The business is financially viable as outlined in a business plan.

Scope of work

IADE will be responsible for designing and delivering the support package offered to Talho Moris, including counselling services, marketing and financial support.

Outputs

• Support package designed and delivered including: funds for the procurement of equipment (the enterprise will costs share), counselling services to finalize business plan, marketing support in terms of TV commercial and printed material and the organization of the opening even which will also function as a business matchmaking event as potential restaurants and supermarkets will be invited.
• Marketing material designed and printed/broadcast.
• Invitation designed, list of invitees compiled and invitations sent out.
• Opening event prepared and organized.