Bab Rizq Jameel (BRJ), an initiative of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives (ALJCI), participated in the Exhibition and Conference of Small and Medium Enterprises – Izdehar SME at Jeddah Hilton. BRJ's participation included an exhibition that displays samples of successful projects financed by the small projects finance program. Sample projects were introduced by Saudi young males and females, and included projects for manufacturing of basic raw materials, travel and tourism projects and creative gold projects. Since 2003, BRJ has financed more than 23,000 projects. Dr. Ibrahim Badawood, ALJCI Executive Director, addressed the importance of small and medium size enterprises, and how they could contribute in the national economy. Dr. Ibrahim said that the current initiatives, in spite of its importance, are not enough for the market, and that a specialized entity should exist to finance and support small and medium enterprises. He added that, in addition to persistence, training is highly important, entrepreneurship needs training institutes to provide training to young people and show and qualify them how to start their small projects. Even after they start their projects, young people will need an entity to guide and help them to reach the market and the major companies, which in turn should encourage those young people through signing contracts with them. According to him, franchise system could be highly effective and could help in expanding such projects. He commended the role of the Human Resources Development Fund in supporting the youth through being partially responsible for the cost of their employment. Izdehar SME will continue for three days, and will include an exhibition, a conference and a training seminar.— SG
