Market Development Facility annual report 2021

MDF is Australia’s flagship private sector development programme in the Indo-Pacific region. Through the MSD approach it is making innovative efforts to engage the private sector in the promotion of inclusive growth and poverty reduction for women and men.

It works in South Asia and the Pacific regions, namely, in Fiji, Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea and Pakistan.

The report provides insight into MDF's achievements between January and December 2021.

The report is structured to allow readers to compare the plans made in Annual Strategic Plans (ASPs) with progress made in Annual Reports - to compare what MDF planned with what it achieved. 

Intervention description

In 2021, the Market Development Facility (MDF) implemented several interventions across different regions focusing on agriculture, tourism, finance, and business development services.

For example, in Pakistan, MDF partnered with Haji Sons to promote vertical farming practices and the use of high-quality seeds in Sindh province. Although vertical farming did not progress as expected due to climate conditions, traditional farming practices using these seeds continued to improve yields. Similarly, in Fiji, MDF supported the Business Process Outsourcing Council (BPOC) to promote the country as a premier outsourcing destination, resulting in better marketing strategies and increased awareness.

These interventions involved working closely with local partners who demonstrated a willingness to adopt and adapt the promoted models and showed interest in continuing these practices beyond the programme's support.

This programme’s results measurement system has passed an audit against the DCED Standard.