As part of an in-depth study to assess the feasibility of a
Rotterdam-style re-export facility in Asia for U.S. bulk agricultural exports, GIC appraised the infrastructure and development costs for new or expanded port facilities in Asia. GIC produced the financial
model for trade flows, transportation rates, and other costs associated with maritime shipping, and integrated these factors into capital cost estimates to determine the feasibility of the export facility.
GIC recommended the financing strategy and potential ownership structure for the proposed facility.Agricultural Commercialization and Enterprise Project. U.S. Agency for International
Development, State of Maharashtra, India. 1992-1997.
GIC was the primary subcontractor to Chemonics International for implementing the Agricultural Commercialization and Enterprise (ACE) Project in India. The purpose of the ACE Project was to develop private sector-led investments, business services, and market structures for post-farm products in India's horticultural sector. The project assisted over 100 private firms in designing and/or implementing innovative projects related to post-farm horticultural investment and further promoted the development of post-farm business services in support of the horticultural subsector.
Haryana Wholesale Market. State of Haryana, India. 1996. In conjunction with A. Epstein & Sons, GIC developed a logistical plan for a proposed 30 million ton per year Indian
wholesale complex. The plan included financing alternatives for the proposed market, which comprised food processing facilities and an export center. Included domestic and international finance
avenues, as well as income generation schemes.
Logistics Management & Multi-modal Services. Private Client, Maharashtra, India. 1995. Provided strategic planning services
to one of India's largest trucking companies to diversify into modern, high-efficiency distribution systems. The company is developing multi-modal transportation systems, a refrigerated fleet for shipping
fresh and processed foods, controlled atmosphere storage facilities for a broad range of products, and Electronic Data Interchange Services. GIC is also providing client targeting, presentation and
negotiation assistance for a new customer base.
U.S. Trade and Development Agency. 1990-1996. Definitional Missions for a variety of agribusiness projects in Venezuela, Argentina,
El Salvador, and Mexico. These projects include agro-processing facilities, port development and wholesale markets.
Marketing and Distribution Seminars: Russia and Ukraine. U.S.
Department of Agriculture. 1995. GIC conducted a series of seminars to instruct farm operators and food processors in marketing high-value products, and the distribution and logistical requirements
of bulk commodities versus finished, processed products. Presentations ranged from production to wholesaling, packaging/processing, and delivery of horticultural products. Participants included grower
organizations, wholesale base managers, retailers, and policy makers. The seminars also contained a training component.
Pre-feasibility Study for Agricultural Distribution Marketing,
Guadalajara: Mexico. U.S. Trade & Development Agency. February to April 1994. Studied a grant request from the Government of Mexico to the client agency for a detailed feasibility
study of the Agricultural Distribution Market. Study included site analysis, preliminary design concepts, ownership structure, equipment specifications, and potential commercial and public sector financing
options.
Market Potential for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables from India in the U.S.A. and Europe. Agricultural Commercialization and Enterprise Project, U.S.Agency for International
Development. 1993. Responsible for a detailed market analysis of selected Indian products in targeted markets. The study analyzed existing consumption and market trends, identified potential
trade partners, examined prevalent constraints and regulations, and recommended market entry strategies.
Fruit & Vegetable Marketing Unit: India. National Dairy Development Board and The World
Bank. 1991-1993. GIC designed a comprehensive fresh fruit and vegetable marketing and distribution system for six metropolitan areas in India. The 10 person team studied all aspects of the
horticultural sector including production, procurement, handling, transportation, storage, packaging, and wholesale and retail marketing. This included the development of an institutional framework and a
computerized database, conducting financial and economic analysis, defining training needs, and generating designs/layouts of all necessary facilities. Responsibilities included market research, economic
analysis and social cost-benefit analysis. The total projected investment was U.S. $50 million. The study is considered one of the most comprehensive investigations of the produce marketing system in
India. The innovative approach and recommendations have been strongly endorsed by the World Bank.
Third Party Intermodal Logistics and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). People's
Republic of China, Ministry of Transport. November 1994. GIC consultants delivered a report and commercial intelligence briefing on leading technologies shaping the transportation and distribution
industries internationally for a delegation of Chinese officials responsible for planning China's transportation infrastructure. GIC described the development of third-party integrated logistics, intermodal
transport and EDI in the United States and related it to Chinese transport and distribution issues. Also included were an analysis of current trends and future considerations pertaining to the development of
intermodal logistics in developing economies.
Wholesale Trade Privatization. Republic of Kazakhstan, World Bank. 1993-1994. GIC assisted the World Bank in preparing a
strategy for privatizing the former, state-owned distribution system in a manner that maximizes new entry and introduces channel competition.
Post-Privatization Restructuring of Rail Operations in
Argentina. Transport Consulting Firm, Private Client. 1993. As subcontractor to a major international transportation consulting firm, GIC provided advisory assistance to FEPSA (Ferro Expreso
Pampeano), one of Argentina's first privatized freight railroads. GIC analyzed traffic flow under a number of liberalization and trade scenarios affecting the primary shippers on the concession line.
With weak commercial experience and significant losses, FEPSA required restructuring. GIC provided the company with technical assistance and strategic planning.
Definitional Mission for Container
Handling Facility at Acajutla Port: El Salvador. U.S. Trade and Development Program. 1990. The Government of El Salvador intended to build a container handling facility at the Port of
Acajutla to lower port congestion and increase handling efficiency. GIC studied the potential increase in container traffic for the region and the competitiveness of U.S. manufactured goods and engineering
services for the project.
Horticulture Distribution System Investment Plan. National Dairy Development Board, India. 1993. GIC designed a series of integrated investments in
the Indian fruit and vegetable wholesaling system to improve the distribution and marketing of horticultural products in six states of India. The recommendations were based on financial, cost-benefit and
economic analyses of initiatives required to maximize return to growers, the marketing stream and consumers. GIC delivered market information system, production and distribution, procurement planning,
transportation, and processing expertise.
Fish Exchange and Distribution Facility. Conservation Law Foundation. 1994. GIC undertook a feasibility study for the establishment of a
fish display auction in Gloucester or another New England site. The study also looked at options for introducing futures contracting into the fishing industry.
Future Transportation
Alternatives Across the Panamanian Isthmus. Futures Group/U.S. Department of State. November 1982. GIC conducted a trade impact analysis for agricultural products on alternative Panamanian
rate and delivery options. The purpose of this study was to measure the costs and benefits of the construction of a new, wider canal.
Procurement Practices and Alternative Import
Strategies. World Food Council. January 1982. GIC reviewed the mechanism through which food deficit, developing countries cover their requirements through imports (case studies for Algeria,
Bangladesh, Brazil, Egypt, Ghana, Mexico, and Morocco). The analysis involved an assessment of the costs of parastatal procurement operations as well handling, storage and distribution practices in these
countries compared to commercial import operations in more developed countries.
Overview of Food Supply Problems and the Grain Trade. World Bank. November 1980. This study
assessed the costs of shortages and market inefficiencies to those developing countries which were most likely to incur shortfalls or continue to be in a deficit food position.
