 Promotion of Employment in the Informal Sector 82. In the face of the objective constraints hindering the informal economy, particularly ignorance of management and accounting principles, the State adopted in July, 2008, a yearly Training Programme for 5,000 youths in Entrepreneurship (PFE). The objective of the programme is to promote youth entrepreneurship by focusing on their job-creation initiatives and on the incentive to set up micro, small and medium-scale enterprises. In 5 years, the programme intends to train 25,000 youths. At the end of the training programmes, projects retained are financed by the Youth Initiative Support Fund. At the end of the first three editions (2008 to 2010), a total of 12,388 youths received training in private entrepreneurship; 5,971 project plans were forwarded to the Youth Initiative Support Fund (FAIJ) for financing. 3,315 of these projects were financed. These financed projects ensured the creation of 2,122 direct jobs and 6,142 indirect jobs. 83. Financial institutions (banks and decentralized credit entities) which were hesitant to finance the informal sector are beginning to develop an interest in it. Similarly, the actions taken by the Informal Sector Assistance Fund (FASI) and the Assistance Fund for Women’s IncomeGenerating Activities (FAARF) are contributing to the promotion of the sector. The managers of the FASI are assisting entrepreneurs and ensuring that they have access to the regular banking system; this action ensured the structuring of beneficiaries and their removal from the informal sector. From 1999 to 2011, the FASI ensured the financing of 14,819 micro-projects and the creation of 42,432 jobs. The total amount of loans granted over this period stood at CFAF 6,774,316,762. 84. With regard to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Crafts, the decentralization of the Business Start-Up Centres (CEFORE) at Dédougou, which brought the number of regional offices to nine, ensured the establishment of 4,951 new registered businesses in 2011. Over the same period, 25 big businesses actually began operations, thereby creating 528 permanent jobs and generating investments to the tune of CFAF 13,221,124,181. 85. Stock breeding also contributed to the fight against poverty in the rural areas in particular. In terms of the creation of direct jobs, stock breeding annually engages more than 900,000 persons in production on a full-time basis, while 60,000 to 90,000 others are engaged in processing and marketing activities (MRA, 2005). This performance was achieved thanks to the Stock Breeding Development Fund (FODEL), projects and programmes as well as State support, among others. From 2010, seven credit operations headed by the FODEL led to a total of 948 direct beneficiaries, including 350 women. In 2000, support for an operation named « éleveurs leaders » [Leading Stockbreeders] ensured the training of 181 entrepreneurs (including 45 women). The operation generated a total of 482 jobs (including 189 for women).  Technical and Vocational Training Programmes 86. In 2007, in order to increase the avenues for vocational training, the Government established the Vocational Training Strengthening Programme financed by the Taiwanese Cooperation Agency. This programme ensured the building and provision of equipment for the Ziniaré Vocational Training Centre which was inaugurated in 2010 (with a capacity of 1,200 learners) and the extension of the Vocational Evaluation and Training Centre. The Government also introduced a national voluntary programme in 2006. This programme offers opportunities to young graduates to acquire professional experience in the areas of 25