The Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre (SEBC) is a private Syrian Foundation that resulted from a 10-year partnership between the Syrian Government and the European Union. The aim of this partnership was to support Syria's transition to a market economy by helping the Syrian private sector compete in international markets and by supporting the development of business institutions.
The pre-requisite for the establishment of the National Institution was the EU-funded, Syrian European Business Centre, a programme which ran between 1996 and 2006 with an overall budget of 27 million Euros and was considered one of the most successful partnerships by the EU and one that played a key role in facilitating Syria's entry into the "Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Agreement".
The main legacy of this ten-year EU support to Syria was established of the Syrian Enterprise and Business Cooperation, an institution rooted in the Syrian private sector.
In a smooth transition from the EU-funded programme to a national institution, the Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre was established in March 2006 as a private Syrian foundation.
The Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre enjoys the absolute confidence and support of the Syrian government, the Syrian private sector and the European Commission in Syria.
SME Support Programme (SSP)
It is SEBC's first project under implementation, started in September 2006 and ends in February 2010, with a total EC funding of Euro 15m.
The principal objective of this Programme is to help SEBC achieve sustainability as a National Institution providing a full range of services to the private sector and the Government.
SSP focuses on six key areas:
The Efficiency and Competitiveness of SMEs are Improved
Local Consultancy Business Development Services are Enhanced
Access to and Choice of Medium and Long-Term Finance for SMEs Facilitated
Access to Information on Export Market Opportunities Facilitated
Strengthened SME Support Institution
Policies to Strengthen and Support the Private Sector Formulated
Our services deliver on both macro and micro levels:
Technical Assistance: preference is given to SMEs with high growth and export potential. Assistance is delivered on a sectoral basis in order to promote networks and clustering.
Management training: Given as in-house company training as well as specialized open / public seminars training sessions.
Incubator: On-site support for up to one year as well as mentoring and consultancy advice to off-site incubated companies.
Consultancy Development: Support for the development of local business consultancies for capacity building and to provide in-depth knowledge of economic sectors and learn European best practice.
Access to Finance: SEBC / SSP's financial advisory service is a new concept in Syria and assists SMEs to produce accounts to international standards and help them access available funds. SEBC / SSP is currently providing technical assistance to establish a loan guarantee scheme (LGS) in Syria.
Institutional Development: SEBC/ SSP provides capacity-building support to Syrian Chambers of Commerce and Industry as well as other business support organizations.
Policy Formulation: to facilitate a competitive business environment. SSP supports and proposes formulation of business friendly policies.
SME Support Programme (SSP)
