The GSE FM consolidation stage was successfully completed in September 2004. The key achievements of the first stage of the GSE FM were the positive user assessments of the Service Portfolio, the high value of the services provided, a cost-benefit analysis provided to the user community, and the development of an effective service supply chain. The services were delivered to 9 users in 7 countries with a total geographic coverage of 1.01million km2.
Additionally, there was a preparatory assistance to users in 6 countries which included countries in the southern African region. Thus the overall achievements of Stage 1 provides a substantive basis of technical and operational work that can be built on for an expanded stage.