Jordan Daily – The American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan), in collaboration with lead implementer Mercy Corps, hosted a two-day business matchmaking and linkages event at the Jordan International Exhibition Center in Meca Mall as part of the USAID Informal Livelihood Advancement Activity (Iqlaa).
In a statement , the event brought together around 60 home-based businesses (HBBs) and micro and small enterprises (MSEs) from various governorates with leading larger enterprises, including traders, manufacturers, and service providers from different sectors across the kingdom, fostering a dynamic environment for business collaboration.
The matchmaking and linkages event allowed HBBs and MSEs to showcase their diverse products and services through dedicated exhibition spaces. Larger enterprises visiting the exhibitors engaged in fruitful discussions with participating MSEs.
“Maybe more than any other time, micro and small businesses in Jordan are struggling to make ends meet in a highly competitive market and a relatively lower demand than supply. Since it started in May 2022, the USAID-funded Iqlaa program has focused on supporting home-based, micro and small enterprises to grow and become more resilient. One of the main objectives of the program, which is improving MSEs’ access to business opportunities, is being reflected in this two-day event,” said Ayat Al Tawil, economic specialist at USAID.
The two-day event witnessed increased interest from all participants, resulting in potential business deals and a growing appetite for local sourcing. Prior to the event, AmCham trained participating MSEs to be equipped and ready to seize this opportunity and potentially secure business deals with visiting larger enterprises.
Reflecting on the event’s importance, Chief of Party at Iqlaa, Laith Al Qassem, stated, “Iqlaa is facilitating increased access to markets as it is one of the most pressing concerns for micro and small businesses. This event gives them an opportunity they might not have been able to achieve on their own.” He added, “As participants in the Iqlaa program, they will have the opportunity to benefit from other services by Iqlaa.”
AmCham-Jordan Chairman Samer Judeh emphasized the favorable outcomes of the matchmaking event, particularly the establishment of promising potential partnerships and collaborations: “The matchmaking event is geared towards advancing economic growth and providing fresh avenues for participants to expand their businesses across various sectors.” He added, “AmCham-Jordan is committed to promoting inclusivity, empowering local enterprises, and bolstering the development of Jordan’s business landscape.”
The USAID Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) is a five-year program funded by USAID, which began in 2022 and aims to support Jordan’s HBBs and MSEs to grow, transform, and become resilient to future challenges. Iqlaa’s approach explores new ways of doing business and improving access to finance, markets, and services. The program focuses on four sectors: agriculture, hospitality and tourism, manufacturing, and services, with a particular focus on technology development and implementation.
AmCham-Jordan, established in 1999 under the Jordanian Association Law, is a leading business association with over 250 member companies and professionals. Its mission is to contribute to economic development through the promotion of Jordan-U.S. trade and investment relations, business development, policy and advocacy, human resources development, and business community outreach.