Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC)
2000 M Street NW
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202-589-2600
Email: iesc@iesc.org
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Jeannine English
"As I prepare to take office as AARP President next month, I want to take this opportunity to offer my warmest congratulations to IESC on your 50th anniversary. We applaud IESC for pioneering the concept and leading the way in mobilizing veteran business executives to volunteer their time and valuable experience throughout the developing world. AARP is very proud of the partnership we recently launched with IESC and the Government of China to send IESC senior business executives as volunteers to help companies all over China adjust to a market economy. We see this as a great opportunity for older Americans to use a lifetime of experience to help the developing world acquire the skills needed to compete successfully in a global market economy. We look forward to broadening and deepening our relationships with both China and IESC. Happy Anniversary!"
June 4, 2014/by actualize studioInnovation
We are willing to try something new, especially if the usual way isn’t working.
October 9, 2017/by actualize studioDigital Processes Begin with People in Paraguay
Plant and Seed Quality and Health organization slashes redundancies…
November 29, 2021/by Erin SuarezPaula Pace
"The Pace family is honored to be part of this commemoration of IESC's history on behalf of my father, Frank Pace, Jr. His role as one of the founders and then president of IESC was one of his most proud achievements in his later years. IESC became a channel for my father's idealism and talent, an opportunity to "give back", which was enormously important to him. Having spent time in both government and business, he envisioned a partnership that would benefit both, and provide expert business advice, when requested, to companies in other countries. My father had great enthusiasm. But I honestly never saw him as excited as when he relayed to me the various projects and the contribution of the volunteers, who themselves felt so rewarded by the experience."
June 4, 2014/by actualize studioAmbassador Lloyd Hand
"As the President's Chief of Protocol and Personal Ambassador under the President Johnson Administration, I have been following IESC's success with great interest over the last 50 years. President Johnson was very clear when he announced the establishment of IESC in the Rose Garden of the White House in 1964 that, not only would the practical skills and experience of America's finest entrepreneurs be of enormous benefit to developing nations, but they might also help to generate a more stable global trading environment during a time of great political turbulence. On both fronts, IESC has been an enormous success, helping businesses in the developing world to create over a million jobs, and generating many new international trading partners for American companies. Congratulations to the staff and volunteers of IESC for so successfully keeping to their mission and for making America proud."
June 4, 2014/by actualize studioGlobal Volunteerism and Redefining Aging for the 21st Century
Tunisia is home to approximately 750 acres of organic farm land'the second largest acreage in Africa'where more than 2,300 farmers use certified organic production methods that help preserve biodiversity, support the soil, and protect the environment. Despite this rich resource, few Tunisian producers have tapped into the ever-expanding U.S. organics market.
For high quality Tunisian olive oil, you start with organically produced olives.
The Tunisia Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project was designed to boost Tunisian exports and promote economic growth by providing technical assistance to export-ready or near export-ready firms in the organic food sector, among others.
Buyers missions are an effective way to introduce producers to potential buyers and increase the demand for Tunisian organics through better name recognition in the U.S. market. Although quality and standards of organic foods in Tunisia are high, Tunisia has not yet been able to achieve notable international presence.
In December 2013, the Tunisia SME Project and Tunisia's Center for Export Promotion invited four U.S. buyers to tour Tunisia's organic farms, visit state-of-the-art facilities, and meet the Tunisian producers. Collectively, the buyers represented an annual purchasing volume of approximately $150 million.
The American buyers described the trip as an eye-opening experience. 'The companies I witnessed offer the highest quality and degree of pride in work at the artisan-level,' said one of the participants. 'The U.S. consumer who is shopping at Whole Foods is looking for exactly what Tunisia has to offer.'
After this encouraging feedback from the buyers, Selima Ghariani, CEO of the organic olive oil producer Tunihuile, decided to attend the San Francisco's Winter Fancy Food Show in January 2014.
'After meeting the U.S. buyers in December, we were encouraged to try the Fancy Food Show.' At the show, Tunihuile promoted its brand, developed a network of contacts, and ultimately closed a deal with the firm New Yorkaise for 300 tons of organic Tunisian olive oil valued at $1.2 million.
'At this point,' Ghariani said, 'we are now looking to set-up a solid logistics structure in the U.S.'
With the help from the Tunisia SME Project, Tunisia is building on global demand and establishing the Tunisia organics brand.
'Tunisia is poised for excellent growth,' said another American buyer. 'They may need some help positioning their goods toward the U.S. consumer, but as we say in marketing, it is easy to add sizzle to a very good steak.'
The Tunisia SME Project ran from 2012 to 2014 and was funded by USAID through the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance, or VEGA.
March 16, 2015/by actualize studioFor high quality Tunisian olive oil, you start with organically produced olives.
The Tunisia Small and Medium Enterprise Development Project was designed to boost Tunisian exports and promote economic growth by providing technical assistance to export-ready or near export-ready firms in the organic food sector, among others.
Buyers missions are an effective way to introduce producers to potential buyers and increase the demand for Tunisian organics through better name recognition in the U.S. market. Although quality and standards of organic foods in Tunisia are high, Tunisia has not yet been able to achieve notable international presence.
In December 2013, the Tunisia SME Project and Tunisia's Center for Export Promotion invited four U.S. buyers to tour Tunisia's organic farms, visit state-of-the-art facilities, and meet the Tunisian producers. Collectively, the buyers represented an annual purchasing volume of approximately $150 million.
The American buyers described the trip as an eye-opening experience. 'The companies I witnessed offer the highest quality and degree of pride in work at the artisan-level,' said one of the participants. 'The U.S. consumer who is shopping at Whole Foods is looking for exactly what Tunisia has to offer.'
After this encouraging feedback from the buyers, Selima Ghariani, CEO of the organic olive oil producer Tunihuile, decided to attend the San Francisco's Winter Fancy Food Show in January 2014.
'After meeting the U.S. buyers in December, we were encouraged to try the Fancy Food Show.' At the show, Tunihuile promoted its brand, developed a network of contacts, and ultimately closed a deal with the firm New Yorkaise for 300 tons of organic Tunisian olive oil valued at $1.2 million.
'At this point,' Ghariani said, 'we are now looking to set-up a solid logistics structure in the U.S.'
With the help from the Tunisia SME Project, Tunisia is building on global demand and establishing the Tunisia organics brand.
'Tunisia is poised for excellent growth,' said another American buyer. 'They may need some help positioning their goods toward the U.S. consumer, but as we say in marketing, it is easy to add sizzle to a very good steak.'
The Tunisia SME Project ran from 2012 to 2014 and was funded by USAID through the Volunteers for Economic Growth Alliance, or VEGA.