Empretec Celebrates the Graduation of a New Group of Jordanian Entrepreneurs

Upon the completion of a 2-week entrepreneurial capacity-building training program Empretec held a graduation ceremony for 15 Jordanian entrepreneurs ready to embark on their creative ideas and thriving SMEs

Empretec, is UNCTAD’s (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) integrated entrepreneurial capacity-building program managed by the Business Development Center in Jordan.

Empretec conducts training focused on developing the behavioural competencies of successful entrepreneurs and provides support to the creation of sustainable small and medium enterprises (SME’s) that are innovative and internationally competitive.

Empretec offers local businessmen/women the opportunity to be part of a select group of individuals to attend the Entrepreneurship Training Workshop (ETW), which has been developed on the basis of research and a detailed review of virtually all the major entrepreneurship training programs currently being offered in developed or developing countries around the world. The research employed a careful methodology to analyse the actions and thought processes of successful entrepreneurs in a number of countries and to isolate these behaviours that distinguish certain individuals from the less successful entrepreneurs in their own countries. Among the findings of this research was the fact that the most important of these behaviours were remarkably consistent from country to country. The result of the research was the identification of ten Personal Entrepreneurial Competencies (PEC’s) and 30 behavioural indicators found to be most useful for detecting and strengthening entrepreneurial potential.

The Workshop is an intensive program for identifying and expanding participants’ potential to initiate or improve small businesses or other entrepreneurial activities.

The training methods used in the Workshop are highly interactive and experiential. In place of lectures, the training uses structured exercises, small and large group activities, video presentations, diagnostic tools, business events, questionnaires and other vehicles designed to identify PECs and enhance them through practice.

Moreover, a panel consisting of Capital Bank, Cairo Amman Bank, National Fund for Enterprise Support (NAFES) and the Business Development Center was held in order to provide the participants with the opportunity to learn more about the various programs and services these entities provide to support them as well as to provide answers to their inquiries related to developing their ideas and sustaining their businesses

Mrs. Maha Shawared, Vice President of BDC emphasized the importance of the training program which boosts the practical application of the entrepreneurial behaviour and the role it plays in proving Jordanian entrepreneurs with the skills and knowledge they need to take their businesses to the next level. She also highlighted the support of National Fund for Enterprise Support (NAFES) for the program by subsidizing 50% of the participation fees for eligible applicants.

Mahmoud Awadallah, one of the participants said: “This workshop has exceeded my expectations; I can really say that it was the best workshop I have attended so far. I really benefited a lot and now I have so much knowledge and skills I can apply in real life”.
Empretec Jordan is dedicated to increasing the number of successful entrepreneurs in Jordan by developing entrepreneurial competencies and supporting innovation, thus contributing to the development of a dynamic private sector, in addition to partnering with organizations to foster the creation and enhancement of a culture of entrepreneurship in Jordan

So Far, Empretec Jordan has conducted 20 ETW’s since 2002, with 460 businessmen/women attending. In addition to the ETW, Empretec Jordan supports local businesses through access to the network of local businessmen/women “Empretecos”, access to worldwide network of over 100,000 Empretecos, follow up business support services, and access to free legal advice.

Empretec Jordan Program is currently implemented by the Business Development Center, a Jordanian non-profit organization contributing to economic development and a better life for all Jordanians by helping Jordanian enterprises realize their full potential, creating more jobs and higher incomes, and preparing them to compete successfully in regional and international markets. As a regional and national resource, the Center also launches business development service initiatives and facilitates multiple donor economic development projects.
 

Events

Entrepreneurs Business Linkages

Empretec Jordan in cooperation with The National Fund for Enterprise Fund NAFES had conducted a workshop on July 19th 2010, at the BDC offices, this workshop aimed to enhance the linkages between businesses especially for Empretec graduates as part of Empretec's follow up services also emphasized on the major obstacles that the entrepreneurs faced at their businesses such as Government regulations, Financing, illegal competition and unqualified employment. After recognizing the obstacles the brain storming session began on getting solutions for these problems and suggestions for services that maybe offered by the program to support the members of Empretec Jordan club.