Assessing BDS Demand & Supply in Weak/Limited Markets, SEEP PLP, 2004

Description
The SEEP Practitioner Learning Program conducted an email-based, moderated discussion on market assessment in weak markets: those in which few BDS transactions occur or in which most BDS acquisition is informal or embedded within other business transactions. The objectives of the discussion were:
* Providing support (input, feedback, and ideas) to the participants as they each conducted and analyzed their market assessments; and
* Reaching consensus on key challenges, lessons learned, and areas to consider for further exploration on market assessments in weak or limited markets.

Participants synthesized their experiences at the PLP mid-term workshop where they analyzed a case study and and discussed the challenges they faced when assessing weak or limited markets.

All PLP in BDS MA participants are working toward designing programs that target mostly poor microenterprises. Many participants work in challenging contexts - remote rural areas or urban slums - and target underserved microentrepreneurs such as women and small retail shop owners. In these contexts, many markets, but particularly BDS markets, are often weak. Demand for BDS is often ineffective because microentrepreneurs are not sure of the benefits particular business services offer. Supply may be limited or nonexistent and services that are available tend to be inappropriate for very small enterprises. Exploring ways to conduct useful BDS market assessments in such contexts and how to use the results to design effective programs for marginalized microentrepreneurs is a PLP BDS MA program priority.

Methods for info gathering
email listserve discussions, workshops

Summary of results
While participants found the discussion useful, they also realized that it raised important questions and stimulated their thinking about how to use information to develop effective BDS market development programs able to
help microenterprises. They are PLP now moving forward with testing market development interventions in weak markets using the market information they have gathered. They also are engaging in a third email discussion that builds on this one and addresses how to use market information to develop:
* Strategies to attract commercial BDS providers,
* Strategies to stimulate demand for BDS, and
* Pricing and payment options for BDS.

Through this and subsequent discussion summaries, the PLP in BDS MA aims to share its collective thinking with other practitioners in the field and stimulate further dialogue on how to use market information to develop BDS markets for microentrepreneurs.

The paper is available in French and English.



Associated Activities and Documents
Market Assessment
»	Mercy Corps South Azerbaijan, USAID, 2000
Programme Design
»	Using Market Assessment Information to Design and Implement a Market Development Program, SEEP PLP 2005
Synthesis Documents
»	Fifth Annual Service Markets Seminar, Chiang Mai, Thailand, September 2004