AMIDEAST and Citi Foundation announced today the launch of the second phase of the Arab Women's Entrepreneurship Project (AWEP) designed to empower women entrepreneurs across the MENA region, and provide them with the necessary tools for success and sustainability, hence integrating them into the global economy. The project, which commenced in 2011 as a joint program between AMIDEAST and Citi, will be implemented in Morocco, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan during this second year. It is expected to benefit 80 women entrepreneurs from underserved backgrounds, at the rate of 20 per country. This comes on the heels of the first-year project, which helped train women entrepreneurs in the UAE, Kuwait, Lebanon and Morocco. Trainees benefited from an intensive three-week training on basic business accounting, professional development, customer support, and the use of technology for business growth, followed by a period of mentoring during which they made headway in starting or growing their businesses. AMIDEAST President and CEO Theodore H. Kattouf welcomed Citi Foundation's renewed commitment. “AMIDEAST is pleased to continue its partnership with Citi Foundation to offer a valuable training opportunity for women in Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. It is gratifying to see that we can make such a tangible impact in the lives of these women, helping them to realize their economic potential through entrepreneurship and benefit not just themselves, but their families and societies as well," said Mr. Kattouf. Atiq Ur Rehman, Citi's Chief Executive Officer for the Middle East Division, said: “AWEP supports entrepreneurs across the Middle East and North Africa in partnership with experienced NGOs such as AMIDEAST. This and other initiatives demonstrate our commitment to the region where we have maintained presence for more than half-a-century." Citi has been in the Arab world for nearly 50 years and continues to view the region as critical to its global franchise. It is currently present in ten Arab countries including Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. An American nonprofit organization with over 20 offices in the Middle East and North Africa, AMIDEAST works to expand educational opportunities and quality, strengthen the capacity of local institutions, and assist individuals to develop language and business skills necessary for success in the global economy.
