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     Principal activities include: Business Support Organization (BSO) Development. GEM identifies BSOs, and increase their effectiveness, assisting chambers of commerce that have not yet received USAID support; assisting BSOs working in the tourism and aquaculture sectors; assisting chambers of commerce in their advocacy for improved LGU performance in revenue generation, corruption control and quality of education; and assisting BSOs to plan and implement strategic events in their areas. Targeted Commodity Expansion Project (TCEP). TCEP increases rural incomes by helping to triple international exports and domestic out-shipments (volume and value) of targeted commodities. Sales of these products, including fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, tuna, carrageenan and high-value marine products such as abalone, grouper and sea cucumber are expected to reach $82 million by late 2012. TCEP helps to expand warehousing, cold storage and VHT facilities to support the increased export and out-shipment of targeted commodities, and assists producer associations to improve their competitiveness through training and information on improved production, packaging and marketing. TCEP provides communities of former MNLF combatants with pre- and post-harvest facilities and training needed to achieve more profitable farming or fishing.
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Business Growth Events Calendar FY 2012 First Quarter (