Tripoli, 30 April 2014:
In an event held . . .[restrict]on Saturday afternoon in Tripoli, Libyan graduates of the Forsa mentoring programme met to celebrate their achievements in promoting entrepreneurship and sustainable economic development in the country.
Forsa is a UK-sponsored initiative supporting entrepreneurship in six Arab countries. The programme helps young Libyan entrepreneurs build leadership skills, expand their businesses and create more jobs by benefiting from the guidance of a senior business leader.
In November and December 2013, Forsa held two three-day mentoring workshops in Libya and matched 27 promising new entrepreneurs with experienced volunteer mentors from the business community.
Following the workshops, mentors continue to provide free one-on-one guidance and support to entrepreneurs over a minimum of 12 months.
Speaking about Forsa’s achievements in Libya thus far, Forsa Mentoring Manager Haider Shakiry said that “Forsa is one of the first mentorship programmes for entrepreneurs inside Libya. We were delighted to see our Libyan members coming together to help one another to build strong and prosperous new businesses that will enrich and benefit their community.”
“Based on Forsa alumni feedback, clearly mentoring is an effective means of nurturing successful entrepreneurs,” he added.
Forsa mentors and entrepreneurs also spoke about their experiences in the programme. Mahamad Ebara, owner of Elrataj Cushion Manufacturing, said that, thanks to his mentor, Mr Husny Bey, he has trebled his factory’s output, raised his workers salaries, and recruited family members to help him to grow his business.
He has just had a new loan approved by his bank and is negotiating angel investment to modernise and grow his factory.
Last month, Mr. Ebara exhibited his products at the Cairo International Exhibition for the first time and received a number of export and supplier leads. “The Forsa programme has
raised my aspirations to become the largest cushions, pillows and mittens producer in the region,” he said.
Forsa mentor and businesswoman Dr. Radia Alswei said that she has so much confidence in her young mentee Ibrahim Al-Ameen that she hopes that one day he will lead one of her start-up ventures.
She also noted that the mentoring programme had been beneficial for her as well. “The day after attending Forsa workshop, I lost most of my pharmacy’s stock due to flooding,” she said. “However the new energy and positive attitude I gained at the workshop helped me master the strength to put my business back together and quickly recover the losses.”
She said that she has subsequently volunteered for another start-up mentoring programme where she helped three young women entrepreneurs to launch a designer label for ladies scarves.
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