The overall objective of the project is to propose recommendations on the design of European Union support package targeting the private sector in order to accompany the process of implementation of the Association Agreements/The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (AAs/DCFTA) in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, notably in relation to the compliance with the EU norms in the domestic legislation.

- To analyse the gap between the national legislation of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and the provisions of the EU acquis to be implemented as part of DCFTAs as well as the gap between the legislation already in place and its enforcement (as far as the private sector is concerned).
- To evaluate past and on-going programmes on support to SMEs in the three countries.
- To provide realistic recommendations for the design of a future EU support package targeting the private sector to accompany implementation of the AAs/DCFTAs provisions in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.

- A gap analysis between the national legislation and the provisions of the EU acquis to be implemented as part of the AAs/DCFTA (as far as the private sector is concerned) and, the legislation already in place and its enforcement (as far as the private sector is concerned). The results of this analysis should provide an indication of how the current situation differs from that which is required to comply with the AAs/DCFTAs.
- An evaluation of past and on-going SME Development programmes in the three countries aiming at supporting SMEs, in particular looking at financial instruments involving international Financial Institutions (IFIs).
- Specific recommendations for the design of future EU support to the private sector to accompany the implementation of the AAs/DCFTAs provisions in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The recommendations will be based upon the results of the evaluation and lessons learnt from the on-going and past programmes aiming at supporting the private sector in the three countries.