In the Districts - $950 000 of results.

Wednesday, October 8 2008

In the Districts - $950 000 of results.

After 8 months of operations, Peace Dividend Trust’s (PDT) Micro Matchmaking service has achieved impressive results. Micromatchmaking activities connect international buyers, both individual and institutional, with domestic suppliers at the district level in Lautem, Baucau, Ainaro, Cova Lima, Bobonaro and Oecusse. Funded by AusAID, PDT launched the Micro Matchmaking service in February 2008.Micro Matchmaking staff act as information brokers. A contextually relevant term in Tetun would be estefeta - messengers of information from one group to another, or matadalan - a guide. If you want to buy a good or service in the above mentioned districts - or even neighboring districts - call your PDT Micromatchmaker. They will show the way to buying locally.

Since February 2008, PDT micromatchmakers have processed 1339 requests from potential buyers. This means that on 1339 occasions, international staff or organizations have asked PDT Micro Matchmaking staff to assist them in sourcing something in the districts. To date, PDT has provided supplier information on 1186 requests, nearly 90% of the total requests. Of the 1186 completed requests, PDT has obtained final transaction information on 994, which amount to over $775K worth of financial transactions. Using this information, PDT estimates that Micro Matchmaking activities have directed more than $950K towards local economies in the poorest parts of Timor-Leste. These are measurable activities with measurable results in parts of Timor-Leste where getting results is most important.

Case Study: Cova Lima

In September 2008, a representative of an Indonesian company approached PDT M3 Cova Lima staff Antonio Alves Fahik and Maria Baros for help in completing a large purchase. Without proper background in the region, the representative faced many difficulties in finding the desired goods: 100 head of buffalo. PDT staff used their knowledge of the local area to survey the domestic market and, ultimately, to match the business representative with a local rancher who could provide the buffalo. The single transaction of 100 head of buffalo brought in over $30 000 for the rancher. In addition, PDT M3 staff created a relationship between an international company and a local supplier. These business relationships between large, international buyers and local suppliers will lead to sustainable development of the local private sector.Micro Matchmaking services have facilitated many more transactions like this one, most of a smaller value, but all important for private sector development. Multiplied thousands of times over, these transactions will play a critical role in creating jobs, driving the economy and building private sector capacity in places where it matters most in Timor-Leste.

For more information on how to buy in the Districts, contact Ilidio Ximenes da Costa, PDT Micro-matchmaking Associate in Dili, on iximenes@peacedividendtrust.org or by phone on +670 723 3335.