Two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the road to recovery is still expected to be long and demanding. Policymakers must take action to build forward better and accelerate the creation of more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economies. Furthermore, Business enablers must improve technology adoption and innovative and digital skills for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to recover and maintain business operations. And entrepreneurs must seek strategic partnerships and tap into regional and global networks to jump-start their businesses' growth.

This project aims to enhance partnerships and expand SMEs' potential in the region through targeted capacity building to both government entities and Arab SMEs and to provide networking opportunities and strategic alliances with a particular focus on inclusive entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the project will create a platform to gather regional and international leaders from the public and private sectors to advocate inclusive policies and strategies to support Arab SMEs. The project will engage Member states to develop improved SME policy frameworks that promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and build resilient infrastructures to nurture the SMEs of the region.

This work is expected to improve the capacity of policymakers in the Member States by developing a targeted SME policy framework and developing the capacity of business enablers and SMEs through a Train of Trainers entrepreneurship program. In addition, this project allows target Member States to advance SDGs. This would be demonstrated with the organization of regional entrepreneurship competitions and regional SMEs Summits and the development of guidelines on building networks and partnerships to boost SMEs' competitiveness and growth, along with mapping opportunities in international markets.