In a significant push to bolster local economic development, the Beni Suef Governorate has launched an intensive training program on “Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion” in the city of Nasser. The program, which aims to train and qualify 1,000 participants, is a key component of the presidential initiative “Bidayah” (A New Beginning for Building People), designed to foster human development and create sustainable economic opportunities.
Fostering Grassroots Entrepreneurship
The initiative, supervised by Beni Suef’s Deputy Governor Bilal Habash, is strategically focused on empowering youth to launch small-scale enterprises. By providing foundational knowledge in entrepreneurship, the program aims to equip aspiring founders with the tools to develop innovative solutions for local economic challenges. The core objectives include reducing unemployment rates, stimulating the growth of small projects, and contributing to the region’s overall sustainable development goals.
A Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
This ambitious program is the result of a robust partnership between several key public and private entities. The effort is spearheaded by the local government in Nasser in collaboration with Bank Misr, the Sanad Al-Khair Foundation (a member of the National Alliance for Civil Development Work), and the Central Population Unit of the Ministry of Local Development. This collaborative model highlights a growing trend of public-private partnerships driving ecosystem development outside of major metropolitan hubs. To facilitate the program, a comprehensive database of 5,000 potential trainees was created, with the first cohort of 1,000 selected from the Nasser center.
Leveraging Regional Strengths
The training initiative is timed to coincide with another major economic event in the governorate: the 4th edition of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Festival. Officials highlighted that Beni Suef is a national leader in this sector, accounting for 60% of Egypt’s total exports of medicinal and aromatic plants. By connecting the entrepreneurship program with established regional industries, the governorate aims to create a synergistic environment where new ventures can capitalize on local economic strengths and supply chains.
About The ‘Bidayah’ Initiative
The “Bidayah” (A New Beginning for Building People) initiative is a presidential program focused on comprehensive human development across Egypt. It aims to empower citizens, particularly youth, by providing them with the necessary skills and resources to achieve economic independence and contribute to sustainable national development. The initiative operates through targeted training programs, workshops, and multi-stakeholder collaborations in various governorates.
Source: El Balad
