‘Advice for Small Businesses programme increases sales for small, medium businesses’

AMMAN — Over four years, the Advice for Small Businesses (ASB) programme has helped 171 businesses in local consultancy and 20 others in international advisory, a senior official at the programme said on Tuesday.

ASB Manager Khaled Saheb, speaking at an event marking the fourth anniversary of the programme, cited figures showing that 81 per cent of their clients increased their sales, with an average increase of 29 per cent. In addition, 55 per cent of all clients increased their exports by an average of 25 per cent. 

In addition, 65 per cent of ASB clients increased their employee numbers by an average of 12 per cent.

Offered by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the ASB offers diversified market advice by working with local and international consultants, who have expertise in the field of organisational development and business growth, as well as proven track records in increasing sales, employment and productivity.

Supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is one of the main pillars of the bank’s strategy in the Kingdom, and, through the ASB, the bank aims to strengthen Jordan’s economic resilience and create new job opportunities among young people and women, according to organisers.

The ASB covers 50-70 per cent of consultancy costs, Saheb explained, noting that up to 23 per cent of client businesses used consultancy to improve their marketing and quality management.

Charlotte Ruhe, director of the EBRD’s SME finance and development group, said the bank supported thousands of businesses across the targeted countries by providing expertise, knowledge and funding to ensure their sustainability and competitiveness.

EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana said the EU and the EBRD have a long-standing history of cooperation in supporting SMEs. 

“This cooperation has enjoyed a successful track record in achieving growth and employment in local and regional communities,” he said, adding that the ASB programme was an opportunity for SMEs to scale up their work to tap opportunities and benefit from the simplified rules of origin when exporting to Europe.

In a statement delivered on behalf of Minister of Trade and Supply Yarub Qudah, Zaher Qatarneh, head of the external policies department at the ministry, commended the ASB as a supporter of the local business community.

He added that SMEs comprise over 90 per cent of Jordanian businesses, employing around 60 per cent of the labour force and contributing to nearly half of the GDP.

Regarding the future of the programme in Jordan, Saheb said efforts will focus on enhancing the capacities of local consultants, exporting development advisory projects, assisting refugees and host communities, supporting innovation and startups as well as improving access to finance.

Jordan became an EBRD shareholder in 2012. So far, the bank has committed close to $1 billion across 35 projects in various sectors of the economy, including trade finance to local banks.