SAN SALVADOR–The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), under its Municipal Competitiveness Project, launched the "Business Ideas Competition," to support the development of new business ideas and expand small businesses.

The 40 business aspirants, who submitted ideas, will receive technical assistance to develop a business plan to start or expand those ideas in the market. In addition, the winners will receive a business development assessment, to link their business idea with existing financial and other development services in the area.

This competition is expected to both foster women’s entrepreneurship and to link winners with financing and specialized technical assistance, thereby helping them move from a business plan into a formal company, creating new jobs in local economies.

The Salvadoran Foundation for Integral Support (FUSAI) will develop and implement the Business Ideas Competition in 42 participating municipalities, and will provide technical assistance to the 40 winning ideas. The 42 participating municipalities are: Acajutla, Alegría, Apastepeque, Atiquizaya, Ayutuxtepeque, Caluco, Candelaria de La Frontera, Chalatenango, Chinameca, Ciudad Arce, Ciudad Barrios, Ciudad Delgado, Comasagua, Cuscatancingo, El Paisnal, Izalco, Jiquilisco, Jucuapa, La Libertad, Mejicanos, Nahuizalco, Nueva Concepción, Olocuilta, Panchimalco, San Bartolomé Perulapía, San Juan Opico, San Martín, San Salvador, Santa Ana, Santa Cruz Michapa, Santa Elena, Santa María Ostuma, Santa Tecla, Santiago Nonualco, Sensuntepeque, Sonsonate, Suchitoto, Talnique, Tecoluca, Tepecoyo, Tonacatepeque y Zaragoza.

The USAID Municipal Competitiveness Project supports 50 municipalities in improving their competitiveness, developing a business friendly environment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and generating new business opportunities and jobs, thus facilitating local economic development. This cooperation encourages municipalities to strengthen their administrative capacity in providing services to employers and the community and to create partnerships between municipalities and the private sector.

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