The first service is part of a three-year project funded by the European Union and implemented by the International Labour Organisation with the objective of creating a more enabling environment for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Egypt, including those owned by women and youth. Within this framework, the ILO has facilitated a partnership between FEI and Lumas, an official partner of ‘Maharat min Google’. Lumas is a market research and customized training company and “Maharat min Google’ is an online digital-skills building platform, launched two years ago, in an effort to help businesses get online and grow their digital presence”.

The certified workshops are delivered for free to all participating MSMEs and at the end of this project “more than 2,000 MSMEs will be trained throughout the course of one year on essential digital skills to grow successfully, expand to new markets, and connect with more customers online”.

The second service launched by FEI is the possibility for companies to register their interest in supplying industrial products necessary for projects to rehabilitate 1500 Egyptian villages within the framework of the “Decent Life Initiative”. These not only include supplies for drinking water and sanitation, roads, and light infrastructures, but also health units and schools.

This list will be submitted to the official authorities and the chosen enterprises will be eligible for a benefit of EGP 500 billion over a period of three years.