MIDDLE EAST COUNCIL FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (MCSBE)

The MCSBE is the outcome of the aspirations of a group of Egyptians dedicated to the vision of advancing entrepreneurship and small business in Egypt and the Middle East. MCSBE is an affiliate of the International Council for Small Business (ICSB) covering Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Morocco, and linking to the ICSB global network of affiliates and members from 70 countries around the world.

The objectives of the MCSBE are to:

• Advocate the formation and growth of small businesses as a mechanism for economic growth and development;
• Encourage research in the field;
• Improve knowledge, techniques and skills relevant to entrepreneurship and small business development;
• Develop an improved understanding of entrepreneurship in its various forms;
• Coordinate and cooperate with the various governmental institutions involved in encouraging and supporting the development of entrepreneurship and small businesses;
• Organise conferences and other events to promote the free exchange of ideas and knowledge in the field of entrepreneurship and small business, both between MCSBE members and with stakeholders and other interested persons and organisations in the field;
• Exchange and creation of knowledge; and
• Liaison, including affiliating with other associations or bodies with similar objectives.

Members of the MCSBE include representatives from government bodies, universities, business associations, banks, venture capital companies, donors, consulting companies, large corporations and entrepreneurial companies, business development service (BDS) providers, and development NGOs. MCSBE carries out a program of work related to its key objectives. Benefits of membership include networking with like-minded individuals and organizations in the Region and globally, access to knowledge created within the organization and its membership, discounted registration fees to MCSBE events, an opportunity to work with MCSBE members and partners to create a more favourable environment for small business and entrepreneurship, and access to all of the ICSB membership. For more information visit www.mcsbe.org

For the second time in Egypt, the Middle East Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (MCSBE) signed an MOU with The Global Entrepreneurship Week to act as the Egyptian partner to coordinate a week-long set of activities in Egypt during November 15-22, 2009.  The objectives for Entrepreneurship Week in Egypt are to: 1) create more awareness of entrepreneurship among young Egyptians; 2) boost the entrepreneurship culture in the country; 3) mobilize partners to support entrepreneurial activity; and 4) foster entrepreneurship networks. As part of this Global initiative, the MCSBE will act as a coordinator to the Weeks’ activities, in partnership with our strategic partners; the Egyptian Junior Business Association (EJB) and the Industrial Modernization Center (IMC), and the Social Fund for Development (SFD),.

In 2008, together with its partners, MCSBE coordinated 19 events in Cairo, Alexandria, Tanta and Assuit that were attended by almost 3,500 Egyptians, mostly young people. In continuation to the success of the GEW in Egypt in 2008, MCSBE expanded the scope of the Week this year by increasing the number participating partners and ensuring a widespread run of activities. Activities are to be organized by partners, and to be coordinated by MCSBE. The aim this year is to reach potential and young entrepreneurs from various age groups in the different governorates.

This year's Global Entrepreneurship Week activities in Egypt are over 25 events that are taking place in 7 different governorates. This has been done through coordinating with local partners ranging from; NGOs, business associations, universities, donor agencies, government, international organizations, and the private sector.

NEW:businessNEXUS
                  @ GEW Egypt

Are you an entrepreneur or work at a start-up or SME business? Do you want to network with other entrepreneurs and start-up businesses? Are you trying to reach customers, suppliers, or other business partners? Are you looking for help or advice with running your business? Would you like to exchange experiences and information with other entrepreneurs? Or perhaps you’re a VC or consultant looking for exciting new businesses?

 Then join the businessNEXUS!
November 15^th at the Grand Hyatt Cairo

Participants in the businessNEXUS will have the opportunity to have brief introductory meetings with other entrepreneurs and SME professionals during the GEW launch event. Meetings will be pre-scheduled based on the profile of your company, and the needs or issues you wish to address. You will also receive a directory of all participants and can directly request a meeting with any of the other start-ups.

 How It Works

 Step ONE – Register by filling the online form. The form will ask for some basic contact info, a brief profile of your company, and short description of the issues you wish to discuss during your networking meetings. The deadline for submitting your registration is November 7^th

Step TWO – After we review your profile, you will receive meeting requests for suggested start-ups or other business contacts you can meet with.

Step THREE – Accept the meeting requests that you like, and reject the ones that you think will not be useful.

Step FOUR – You will receive a confirmation of all the meetings you have, the name of your meeting partner, along with the time of the meeting.

Step FIVE – Come to the businessNEXUS on November 15^th, and sign in. You will be introduced to your meeting partner and provided with a place to have your meeting.

What you do from there with your new business contact is up to you!

 BONUS – While you’re at the businessNEXUS event, you can request a meeting with any of the other participants. Just let us know! You will receive a list of the other company profiles before the event so you can choose from them. (You will have the option to choose whether or not to include your information in this list.)

There will also be a general networking reception at the end of the event. And of course, feel free to introduce yourself directly to any of the other participants in between meetings at any time while you’re there.

Click here to go to the registration form!