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• Letter from Mr. Nabil Sawabini
• Third
Training Session in Hasbaya and Marjayon in Collaboration with Mercy
Corps
• Graduates
of The Third Training Session in The South
• On
Going-Projects
• New EDF Members
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Letter from Mr. Nabil Sawabini
PROMOTING
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG WOMEN
Entrepreneurship among women is growing due to the higher level
of education among them, and the greater exposure to business opportunities
growing out of both financial need and exposure to business opportunities.
This is being facilitated by access to the various information venues,
and especially the internet.
EDF’s experience has shown a healthy interest among women
in learning what it takes to start a business, where their participation
level in EDF’s training programs has exceeded one third of
attendance, reaching a high of 40% in certain programs. Seventeen
percent of those graduates presented business plans, but only 20%
of them were granted loans by the EDF to start their businesses.
Those businesses were primarily in services, trade and agriculture.
There are several challenges in increasing the level of entrepreneurship
upon women, which could be summarized as follows:
– The need for more in depth research and analysis of the
markets they intend to start their businesses in, in order to insure
that their business plans are based on more convincing facts and
assumptions. Thus, improving the chances of success of their business
start up.
– To use creativity in conceiving new business ideas that
are "outside the box". Whereby, such business ideas introduce
a value added proposition, allowing the new start-up to be positively
differentiated from existing/similar businesses in the area.
– The increased willingness to assume the risk of starting
a new business, provided proper research and analysis is done to
reduce such risk.
– A higher level of dedication and commitment towards the
new business start up, to improve its chances of success.
– Institutions, such as EDF, could assist in improving the
chances of success of new businesses by providing proper mentoring
and guidance. This could best be provided, through the creation
of an Alumni Association for all those EDF graduates who have succeeded
in starting their business in the various regions of the country.
Those Alumni members, who have experienced the challenge of starting
a business and understanding the dynamics of their respective markets,
are best suited to provide the most appropriate advice and council
to new entrepreneurs in their respective areas.
It is in the best interest of any country to capitalize on the potential
of both genders, to further its economic objectives. After all,
women represent approximately 50% of a country’s population
and they are increasingly more qualified to undertake such a challenge,
especially in Lebanon.
EDF is committed to promote entrepreneurship among women, and will
do everything possible to attain this objective.
EDF counts on your continued support and generosity.
Sincerely,
Nabil Sawabini
Chairman
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Third Training Session in Hasbaya and
Marjayon in Collaboration with Mercy Corps
Some
19 trainees (made up of three females and 16 males) took part in
the third session held in Ibl El Saqi in two separate stretches,
from 27-29 June and 4-5 July 2003. After completion of the training
session, four of the participants received loans to start their
own businesses.
One of the most unique qualities of the batch of participants in
the third training session was their ability to learn from the experiences
and take advice from the graduates of the first and second training
sessions that took place in April and May 2003. They came to the
session equipped with challenging questions and innovative business
ideas, including proposals for the most practical and price-efficient
way to set up and run their potential businesses.
Participants in the training sessions exchanged ideas and know-how
of establishing their own money-making small and medium scale businesses.
They benefited from the tips provided by EDF trainers on the various
aspects of running a successful business, which, they emphasized,
includes a combined mastery of accounting, finance and banking,
computer training and marketing skills.
The session was marked by challenging fruitful discussions with
EDF trainers, who were thoroughly impressed by the initiative taken
by trainees to come up with resourceful ideas which, the trainers
predicted, would lead to the establishment and operation of their
own potentially successful profit-making business schemes. At the
end of the training session, participants presented their proposals
for the establishment and profitable operation of their own small-scale
enterprises to EDF trainers.
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Graduates
of The Third Training Session in The South
The 1st Training Session organized by EDF in collaboration
with Mercy Corps that was held in Ibl El Saqi, from 4-6
and 11-13 April 2003, distinguished itself from previous
Sessions by the greater number of participants, made up
of representatives of local cooperatives as well as inhabitants
of villages and towns surrounding Hasbaya and Marjayoun.
Participants benefited from animated discussions with their
teachers and trainers who provided them with vital information
and enhanced their business skills. During the Session,
participants proposed their business plans specific to the
area, which reflected their enthusiasm in taking the necessary
steps to implement their business proposals, promptly. At
the end of the Training Session, EDF Executive Director
Mr. Majid Joumblat and one of the EDF trainers Mr. Mark
Asmar presented participants with their diplomas and highlighted
the impressive caliber of participants who took part in
the Training Session.
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Sami Abla
Shamel Abouloula
Salim Al-Hamra
Abdo Al-Shammas
Butros Bahjat
Jihane Barakat
Norma Bou Farhat
Amin Dyab
Hassan Maalouf
Souad Makrous
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Karam
Munzer
Elias Nimr
Nimr Nimr
Youssef Syagha
Shamoun Tanios
Michel Zaydouni
Daoud Zaydouni
Haitham Zorkta
Suleiman Zorkta |
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On Going-Projects
JEAN-MICHEL
TAYAR from Marjayoun
Proprietor of Mario Moda (for women’s wear)
The training session with EDF provided my wife and I, who are
running the business, with vital information and a new business
insight, and strengthened our work incentives. The training session
encouraged me to think about bigger plans for us, one of which
has been a decision to expand our shop.
After receiving a loan from EDF, I was able to order different
kinds of clothing that I didn’t have before and was able
to afford to buy better quality clothing. The upgrade of my shop
increased the number of clients as well as my profits much more
than I expected. I want to thank EDF and wish its staff the best
of luck. I want them to know that I will not disappoint them.
ALI ISSA from Al Hibarieh
Proprietor of Layalina Rest House
"Layalina Rest House is a restaurant that offers juices and
other beverages in downtown Hibarieh; I run it with the help of
my wife and children.
I attended one of the training sessions held by EDF in collaboration
with Mercy Corps at the Dana Hotel in Ibl al-Saqi. I participated
in the training session from the first day and enjoyed every minute
of it, and gained much valuable knowledge and experience.
I have become more aware and informed about business issues that
I did not take so much notice of before, and I applied for a loan
from EDF to purchase the goods I could not afford to buy to complete
my rest house. The loan was provided to me, and I could finally
buy the material and machinery I need.
I have since realized that there has been a noticeable improvement
in our business, including an increase in profits and an unanticipated
increase in the number of clients. I want to thank EDF and its
entire staff for their support, and I promise that I will live
up to their expectations."
AMAL KHEIREDINNE from Hasbaya
Proprietor of Amal’s Flowers
"I participated in EDF’s training session for small-scale
entrepreneurs and those planning to establish individual business
schemes. Participation in the training session made me acquire
totally new skills, especially in marketing and communication,
which I did not have any idea about before.
I applied for a generous loan from EDF to buy some products and
material that I really needed; from then onwards, my work improved
and the number of clients increased."
JANETTE AL MEOUCHY from Kawkaba-Hasbaya
Proprietor of a Beauty Salon
Janette Al Meouchy is married with three children. "I am
a hairdresser and beauty expert for women, and I own my own hairdressing
salon on Kawkaba’s main street. I have been working in this
field for the past ten years and have gained a lot of experience
and skills as a result of the training sessions. I have a diploma
from the Beauty Centre, in Raouche-Beirut.
I recently took part in a training session held by EDF and participated
in courses aimed at refreshing my knowledge and skills. I also
learnt skills that I did not have before.
I applied for a loan with EDF in order to buy products and up-to-date
equipment for my salon that I had not been able to afford before.
After receiving the loan, I realized that more clients were coming
into the salon, and I was making more money. I would like to thank
EDF and its staff for their support."
MUFEED SALIM MUNZER from Ibl al-Saqi-Marjayoun
Proprietor of a Supermarket
Mufeed Munzer, from Ibl al- Saqi, is married and has three children.
He works in trading.
"I am the proprietor of a shop specializing in household
goods. I have been working in this field for the past ten years
and my business has been good, considering the size of our community.
I have a lot of trading experience, but I believe it is up to
individuals to nurture their knowledge and skills.
That is why I took part in the training session with EDF in Ibl
al-Saqi, which aimed to promote the skills of the owners and proprietors
of smalland medium-scale enterprises. I learnt many skills and
broadened my horizons, especially with regard to the management
of my business. From this training session I took the initiative
to expand my business by setting up a butcher’s corner to
complement the goods already available in my shop.
I want to take this opportunity to thank EDF for their continuous
efforts to support our community, and I wish them success in their
endeavors."
RAOUF FARES SOBH from Meemis - Hasbaya
Farmer
Raouf Sobh, who is married with two children, is from Meemis and
has farmed since he left school.
"The primary agriculture in the town is olives, vineyards
and grain, which meant that there was a constant need for a tractor
to keep up with the times and make production more efficient.
That is why I took part in the EDF training session in Ibl al-Saqi,
in which I absorbed all the information and details carefully.
The training workshop provided me with information and opened
up opportunities to learn new skills.
I applied for and received a loan from EDF – for which I
am very thankful- to buy a tractor and develop my work.
I want to express my thanks to EDF for the excellent support they
have provided our community, and I wish them the best of luck
in their endeavors.
IBRAHIM KANJ SOBH from Meemis -
Hasbaya
Farmer
Ibrahim Sobh, a retired Internal Security Forces officer, lives
in Meemis with his wife and four children. He is the local "mukhtar"
and the head of the Committee for Agricultural Cooperatives in
Meemis and the surrounding areas.
"Since I am the head of the Committee for Agricultural Cooperatives
and work in this area, I am planning to develop new agricultural
approaches in our town to reduce costs and increase crop yields,
especially in olive production, that’s why I decided to
take part in the training session held by EDF in Ibl al-Saqi.
I attended the workshop from beginning to end, following all courses
provided during that session, and I realized that there was a
lot of information that I was unaware of.
I decided to buy a tractor to serve many purposes including tilling
the ground and transporting produce, but due to a lack of funding
I asked EDF for a loan. EDF responded positively to my request
and provided me with the loan. I therefore bought the tractor
and used it from day one.
I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to EDF and its staff,
wishing them prosperity. I appreciate their efforts to conduct
workshops for the benefit of our community".
New EDF Members
Mrs.
Nayla de Freige
Managing Director of the daily French newspaper "L’Orient
Le Jour", Chairman and General Manager of the economic magazine
"Le Commerce du Levant", member of the Executive Committee
of "Baalbeck International
Festival", in charge of Communication and Public Relations.
Mrs. Nayla de Freige is also the co-Author of "Illustrated
History of the Lebanon" edited by Larousse in 1987. Decoration:
"Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres",
presented to her in June 2002 by Mr. Jean-Jacques Aillagon, French
Minister of Culture and Communication.
Mr.
Rafic Gazzaoui
Chairman and General Manager of RAFIC GAZZAOUI & CO. SAL;
General Manager of RGCO – INTERTRADE: Commercial companies
running import; export, wholesale and distribution operations
in Lebanon, Syria and the Middle East.
Vice Chairman and Board Member in offshore companies conducting
investment operations. Treasurer of the Nejmeh Football Club (1993
– 1997). Member in several welfare and charity organizations
Mr.
Ramy Hourie
Vice President and partner in Entreprises A.R Hourie, one of the
largest contracting companies in Lebanon. Formerly a partner and
General Manager of ADH (1988-1994), a real estate development
company operating in France and is presently developing some real
estate projects in the country.
Mr. Hourie is also a board member of Arope Insurance Co., and
member of Annadwa El Iktissadia.
Mr.
Sharif Idriss
Mr. Idriss is President of Mabsout and Idriss SAL and Eco Finance
Holding SAL. He is the co-founder of Ajyalouna (a social welfare
association) and member of its Board of Trustrees. Mr. Idriss
is also the founder of the Lebanese- Dutch Business Association
and member of its Board of Trustees.
Mr.
Joseph Milad El-Ghazal Mouawad
Chairman and General Manager of Mouawad Investment Group SAL (Holding)
specialized in the development of prime real estate projects in
Lebanon. Member of the North Lebanon Order of Engineers. Member
of the Milad El- Ghazal Mouawad Foundation – a non-lucrative
organization that provides assistance to deprived people in North
Lebanon.
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