Discussion Held on the 2018 Fiscal Year Six-Month Performance of the Mabqat Program

EED, Adama, Yekatit 19, 2018 E.C.

A discussion forum was held with the management members of Ethiopia Enterprise Development to review the six-month performance of the Mabqat Program for the 2018 Ethiopian fiscal year.

The Mabqat Program, which focuses on strengthening small and medium manufacturing enterprises, is being implemented with the objective of creating employment opportunities for youth, particularly women.

Speaking at the forum, Dr. Alebachew Nigussie, Director General of Ethiopia Enterprise Development, stated that the platform was organized to evaluate activities carried out during the past six months, assess achievements and challenges, and build consensus on priority actions for the coming period. He emphasized that through shared commitment and coordinated efforts, the program will further enhance the benefits and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises.

W/ro Mihret Teklemariam, Director General of PETCO Ethiopia, on her part, highlighted that the Mabqat Program gives special emphasis to establishing and strengthening youth-led, particularly women-led, small and medium manufacturing enterprises so they can generate sustainable employment opportunities.

During the session, the six-month performance report of the program was presented and discussed in detail.

The Mabqat Program is jointly implemented by PETCO Ethiopia, Master card Foundation, Ethiopia Enterprise Development, and CAWEE. The initiative aims to benefit 6,355 small and medium manufacturing enterprises and create employment opportunities for 241,696 young people.