Value Chains and the Cluster Approach: Transforming Relationships to Increase Competitiveness and Focus on End Markets

This paper is part of a series commissioned by the Accelerated Microenterprise Advancement Project (AMAP) Knowledge and Practice II Task Order to promote the adoption of value chain methodologies that benefit small and very small firms. This paper focuses on the efforts of USAID/Dominican Republic (USAID/DR) under the Competitiveness and Policy Program (CPP) to strengthen the mango value chain by transforming relationships to increase competitiveness, and by focusing on end markets. The paper is structured based on major lessons learned as well as key best practices derived from these lessons.