The 9/10ths program, which is an initiative from the Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF), has offered opportunities worth more than SR17 million since the establishment of its the Forsa Platform, out of which around SR9.5 million have been endorsed for small and medium-sized enterprises. The platform (Forsa.910ths.sa) connects entities in the public and private sectors with SMEs. The entities are allowed via FORSA to publish their purchasing orders (bids) and the enterprises can review these opportunities and submit their quotations, electronically. More than 830 small and medium enterprises representing different regions registered with the platform and submitted over 2,500 quotations that target various sectors including information (IT) technology, office furniture, office supplies and printing and advertising. Recently, the Forsa Platform signed two memoranda of understanding with the Jeddah and Makkah Chambers of Commerce and Industry as the Makkah region yields promising opportunities in the Haj and Umrah sectors. Additionally, a number of workshops and meetings were conducted in cooperation with the chambers of commerce which paved the way for signing further strategic partnership in the region, making the Forsa Platform is a tool that spreads opportunities with transparency, in addition to empowering the partners to achieve their goals and supporting the SMEs in the region. Eng. Muhab Benten, business development manager at the 9/10ths program, emphasized that the platform aims to make the SMEs overcome challenges, highlighting the need to make a place for these enterprises in the national economic development to achieve Saudi Vision 2030. The Ministry of Labor and Social Development and Human Resources Development Fund in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Investment and the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises joined hands to launch the 9/10ths platform (www.910ths.sa) allowing entrepreneurs and SMEs to come together under one umbrella. — SG
