Assisting SMEs in the private sector to reach international markets and providing the business sector with the necessary support for development is the aim of the Syrian Enterprise and Business Centre (SEBC). SEBC, in this aim uses the most up-to-date and creative methods for supporting SMEs and encouraging positive development in a distinguished organizational and financial framework.

After the transfer of SEBC (the Syrian-European Business Centre) from an EU-funded programme to a national institute, the new SEBC, since it was first launched up until today is one of the leading business support organizations in Syria through providing the sector with support services and consultancy to companies.

This year, SEBC in Aleppo witnessed several successful activities such as the launching of the SEBC - Business Incubator (BI) for supporting start-ups and creative business ideas and SKILLS - Superior Knowledge by Intensive Labour Learning Schemes.

SEBC-BI
A special interview was made by Baladna newspaper at the new premises of SEBC Aleppo with Mr George Catinis, SEBC Aleppo Director who spoke of successful launching of the SEBC-BI and the services provided to incubatees for one year at the most on condition that the business idea should be new, applicable and has successful future prospects.

The business incubator is a unique service in the industrial and commercial city of Aleppo and is the only project which encourages entrepreneurs to push forward their potentials. SEBC-BI contributes to developing their ideas through modern methodologies and principles.

“There are two types of incubation support; physical and virtual hosting of the incubatee. Entrepreneurs desiring support through consultancy can be provided with consultancy along with office facilities. The number of physically incubated companies at SEBC-BI up to this day has reached 8 projects. As for virtual incubatees, the number has reached as far as 35”, says Catinis.

He adds that SEBC, with support from the Ministry of Economy and Trade, was able to assist companies in receiving commercial or industrial registries at chambers in order to proceed with their activities in a legal and practical manner. As they are incubated, incubatees are able to perform all business transactions from export/import to servicing in a regulatory fashion.

“In Aleppo, there is lack of a business incubator and that is why SEBC decided to open this service here”, he concludes.

Companies interested in applying to SEBC-BI, should submit a business plan on his/her innovative idea where a specialized jury will interview the applicant and evaluate his plan and business idea. If the plan is approved, a contract is signed between SEBC-BI and the applicant.

“Advisory services, training, introductory forums, office facilities, access to information, networking, access to promotional services, access to finance are all services provided by SEBC-BI”, adds Catinis, pointing out that SEBC-BI strives to encourage start-ups which are innovative and have potential to create jobs.

Through SEBC-BI, incubatees receive these services from qualified experts in compliance with the latest international developments because SEBC-BI is connected with an network of business development centres and institutions worldwide which provide the support and expertise necessary for developing SMEs

Being part of a non-traditional developing economic sector, being innovative and profitable are just some of the criteria used to approve an applicant or not.

The SEBC-BI, as its name indicates, works around the clock, in most cases where the incubatees receive everything they might need from logistics to services, to consultancy to office equipment. Baladna interviewed some SEBC incubatees:

Nazeer Hanna, graduate of the University of Aleppo, Faculty of Economics has a consultancy firm for human recourses saying: “I remember one of the first questions which were asked of me when I applied to SEBC-BI. It was  how do you see your firm in 5 years?”

Nazeer’s services include forming an organizational structure, setting job descriptions, searching for the right human recourse and selecting the appropriate employees. He sees that his project is very important for the business community as there is lack of this type of service and the transition to a social market economy is forcing family-owned firms are going public.

The idea of incubation dates back a couple of decades worldwide. However, it was not until the beginning of the 21st century that the idea was introduced in Syria when the initiative was brought by the SEBC/ SME Support Programme (SSP).

A website for the bourse:
The business idea to be incubated does not necessarily have to be strictly economic but can be related. This was understood when Baladna interviewed Muhamad Jdeed, specialized in computer engineering saying: “When I was first introduced to the facilities of the incubator, I was encouraged to propose my idea which has been in mind for the past three years. My idea is a website strictly for news and information on the Damascus Stock Exchange (DSE) aiming to raise awareness of this issue in the Syrian society. There are a lot of challenges but we are also very optimistic”.

The website will be completed in one year’s time when it will be both in the Arabic and English languages, with the latest news on the DSE and the financial reports of the firms listed.

SKILLS
One of SEBC’s initiatives, SKILLS proved to be most successful in 2008/2009 as it enabled its students to develop themselves, theoretically, practically and at an individual level.

Baladna interviewed one of the new students of SKILLS 2009/2010, Hala Hajj Hameed who shared with us her point of view of SKILLS; “I heard of SKILLS through my friends who were part of last year’s programme. I think that my participation will enable me to develop my capacities and I’m sure that all students will acquire the knowledge and skills that will enable them to find jobs in the business market”.

As for Ayman Khoja, another new SKILLS student who is specialized in applicable chemistry, spoke of the business climate and how its struggling from lack of skilled labour. He expects that SKILLS graduates will provide businesses with the tools and methods which will enable them to develop and therefore contribute to economic development of Syria saying: “the SKILLS programme gives me the incentive to start my own business some day and pushes me forward to build my capacities both professionally and at a personal level.

“We were interviewed and did a general knowledge test and IQ test. The total period of study is 6 months in addition to 6 months practical work in a real company which I think is so necessary for us to find jobs later on”, he added.