ICTDAR launches a new business tool for micro, small and medium sized Arab businesses

ICTDAR launches a new business tool for micro, small and medium sized Arab businesses:
Fostering better business practices through ICT for development

Amman – 30 April 2007, The Information and Communication Technology for Development in the Arab Region (ICTDAR) Programme at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization (TAGorg) officially launched today, the “Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Toolbox (M/SME Toolbox),” at the Talal Abu-Ghazaleh College of Business, part of the German Jordanian University in Amman, in a public ceremony attended by representatives of private sector, Government, UN agencies, embassies and the media.

The M/SME Toolbox is a new, creative business tool intended to help entrepreneurs and business owners to increase their productivity and efficiency through the use of ICT. A practical, user-friendly tool to introduce M/SME owners and entrepreneurs to the basics of business management, the M/SME Toolbox is available on CD ROM in Arabic, English and French. The M/SME Toolbox provides entrepreneurs with computer-based courses, and easily customizable templates and forms that can be tailored to specific enterprises, covering business management, business planning, human resources management, accounting, costing, buying, marketing, operations management, and stock control. 

Already in use in Morocco, this enhanced and expanded M/SME Toolbox will be rolled out in other Arab countries, with the objective of making a qualitative difference in the way micro and small enterprises operate in the Arab Region. The new version includes a ‘Training the Trainers’ component, and a user guide that will be distributed through ICT Hubs and professional associations in the Arab Region.

M/SME Toolbox is a component of ICTDAR’s larger MASHROATI initiative, which focuses on the use of technology to support M/SMEs in the Arab Region through the provision of support hubs for capacity building and training. As such, MASHROATI uses ICT as a tool to boost productivity and contribute to the global effort to reduce poverty in line with the Millennium Development Goals.

TAGorg operates throughout 70 offices in the Arab Region and abroad, providing services through member companies in audit, intellectual property rights, management consultancy, project management, IT training, quality assurance, legal services, translation, publishing and distribution. TAGorg has extensive experience in creating, customizing, and delivering IT training material and courses and hence plays a vital role in developing the M/SME Toolbox and its training programs.

For media inquiries please contact: 
in Amman: Amal Tartir,  +962 6 566 8171 ext 207 or  amal.tartit@undp.org
 Talal AlAwadi,  +962 6 510 0900 or  tawadi@tagi.com;
in Cairo:  Nagwa Emad,  +20 2 405 5111 or  ictdar@mediawaves.net
 Noeman AlSayyad +20 2 770 2242 or  noeman.alsayyad@undp.org
in New York: Sausan Ghosheh +1 212 906 5390  sausan.ghosheh@undp.org

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners. More information can be found at www.undp.org