Banyan Global was a sub-contractor to Chemonics on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Asia and Middle East Economic Growth Best Practices (AMEG) project, which provided USAID missions in those regions with the tools to conduct successful economic and financial management assessments, strategic planning, diagnostics, pilots, and program designs. With USAID funding, AMEG promoted systematic policy and institutional reforms in support of expanded trade and investment, broad-based economic growth, and poverty reduction in Asia and the Middle East. Its work also included identifying and promoting interventions, best practices, and pilot activities that support economic, financial management, budget, and public sector performance reforms; private sector investment; and more sustainable inclusive growth. Identifying and promoting these activities, interventions, and best practices emphasized the importance of knowledge-sharing and management of critical economic and financial policy issues facing the region.

AMEG also focused on key issues that are unique to the region, including workforce development, unemployment, and underemployment —particularly among youth and women, rates of investment, domestic production and trade, small and medium enterprises, and informal markets. AMEG activities promoted the policies and best practices that support more equitable outcomes and inclusive growth. Banyan Global worked across all technical areas on the project.

Banyan Global implemented the following work under AMEG:

• Indo-Pacific Economic Corridor (IPEC): Coordinated Regional Trade Analysis
• Value Chain and Competitiveness Assessment in Kyrgyzstan
• Lebanon Competitiveness Assessment for USAID Middle East Bureau
• Improved Employment Outcomes: Best Practices Assessment for USAID Middle East Bureau
• Monitoring and Evaluation System for Middle East North Africa Investment Initiative
• Value Chain Assessment in Pakistan
• Livelihoods/Vulnerable Populations Assessment in Sri Lanka
• Supporting Opportunities in Livelihoods Development Project in Sri Lanka