• The Minister put the focus on the needs of Business Support Organisations (BSOs), to streamline new initiatives that are both demand driven and that contribute to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• CEEBA’s Secretary General highlighted the Ministry’s support on International partnership projects and entrepreneurship projects.

Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation, met this weekend with heads of Egyptian and bilateral BSOs to discuss the stimulation of the private sector, highlighting its key role in the achievement of the state’s SDGs through economic diplomacy and international partnerships. Minister Al-Mashat proposed holding a new meeting with bilateral and multilateral development partners to present a BSOs’ wish list, based on a survey of the needs of their members.

In this context, Dr. Alaa Ezz, Secretary General of the Confederation of Egyptian European Business Associations, emphasised the Ministry’s support in the ongoing 13 EU funded ENI CBC Med and EUROPEAID regional projects, implemented by CEEBA, ASCAME and Businessmed. He pointed out that these projects are “building solid cooperation bridges across the Mediterranean between over 100 BSOs from the 38 Euro-Mediterranean countries with a budget exceeding €50 million” and that they tackle issues such as job creation, gender, youth and climate change, in such way providing support to BSOs, SMEs and startups.

Dr. Ezz went further by suggesting that CEEBA, along with Businessmed and ASCAME, through the EBSOMED project, conduct Minister Al-Mashat’s proposed survey on BSOs needs. The results will be presented during the Mediterranean Finance Forum – MEDAFinance annual conference, which will bring together BSOs from the Euro-Mediterranean region along with donors, development Banks and funds, as well as novel non-baking instruments.

EBSOMED | ENI CBC Med | CEEBA | Businessmed