Private sector received technical assistance to develop their business; more local products being promoted to the export market; more market linkages are established among various market players; more access to the market for the poor and more chances for the poor to get job and earn some income.

The Market Development Facility (MDF) is a multi-country private sector development program that aims to reduce poverty by creating sustainable private sector employment and income earning opportunities for poor women and men in rural and urban areas. MDF aims to achieve this by supporting innovative businesses to increase business performance, stimulate economic growth and ultimately provide benefits for the poor - such as workers, producers and consumers.

MDF’s engagement in private sector area resulted in additional private sector investment of $2.95 million in 2016. Highlights include: MDF’s partnership with Café Brisa Serena which enabled them to export 162 tonnes of high quality coffee bean to USA, Australia, Taiwan and Korea; technical assistance to the Agri-input distribution company, supporting four new retailers in the municipality level to reach 326 farmers; and, for the first time, in addition to selling 101 tonnes in the Timorese market, enabling NPM to export 163 tonnes of salt to Singapore.