Frank Lesa

Market Development Facility (MDF)

Market Development Facility is an Australian Government funded multi-country initiative which promotes sustainable economic development, through higher incomes for women and men, in our partner countries. We connect individuals, businesses, governments and NGOs with each other, and with markets at home and abroad. This enhances investment and coordination and allows partnerships to flourish, strengthening inclusive economic growth. MDF is funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT). It is implemented by Palladium in partnership with Swisscontact. Read on to find out what the MDF team does in each country. In Fiji, MDF focuses on developing a growing, diversified and inclusive tourism industry, while also improving the competitiveness of Fiji's exports. In Timor-Leste, MDF promotes economic diversification and poverty reduction through partnerships in agribusiness and tourism. The team also encourages entrepreneurship by providing financial and advisory support to innovative businesses. In Sri Lanka, MDF's focus is on diversifying tourism with new products and services and supporting authentic Sri Lankan products which promote the country. In Papua New Guinea, MDF aims to foster broad-based growth beyond the resource sector, focusing on agricultural and economic diversification. In Pakistan, MDF works in the livestock, horticulture and leather sectors to create more opportunities for communities and help them benefit from information on finance and nutrition. The team also works in the sustainable technology sector to improve access to and usage of water and energy.