Lebanon is witnessing the collapse of some of its key assets and resources, including a well renowned education system, a solid banking system, as well as a collapsed public sector. In the absence of institutions, resources and opportunities, MSMEs and women-led MSME in particular, require support more than ever to remain sustainable and support employment in their areas. In the current crisis, exporting and earning an income in hard currency is the only safety net Lebanese MSMEs can rely on to sustain and grow their businesses. The role of the academy has been essential to ensure the project feasibility and financial sustainability of MSMEs while lowering their risk of failure in export through understanding the trade policies governing international trade.
The Lebanon Export Academy (LEA)
Increasing agri-food MSMEs’ readiness to export
Overview
Approach
The LEA includes new and innovative e-learning techniques with customized content designed for Lebanese MSMEs who wants to export, in order to help them better understand the process and be ready to meet international demand. The academy offers, through the mentorship of top-notch experts, 9 modules that address the practical issues that Lebanese MSMEs face throughout their export journey. The trainers are experts in providing insights and practical tips to business leaders on how to overcome challenges to enter international markets.
The LEA offers nine modules addressing practical challenges faced by MSMEs in the export journey, covering topics from market research to documentation and quality requirements.
With both in-person and online learning options, the academy caters to the diverse needs of MSMEs, ensuring they can access the training in a format that suits them best.
Courses are delivered by top Lebanese experts, providing insights and practical tips to help business leaders overcome barriers to entering international markets.
The academy is a successful example of PPP, bringing together private and public sector expertise to strengthen the export capabilities of Lebanese MSMEs.
Impact
The LEA contributes directly to UNIDO’s strategic priority of advancing economic competitiveness for increasing exports, creating jobs and improving business practices.
SDGs:
UNIDO Priorities:
Thematic Area(s):
The program provided me with a wealth of new information that has been instrumental in improving both myself and my business. The condensed nature of the program, coupled with the diverse range of topics, made it engaging and enriching.
Rita Fakhry
Sales and Quality Control Manager at Antoine Lakis
I am incredibly happy and grateful for the training I have received at the Lebanon Export Academy. I now possess useful knowledge and abilities that will help me succeed in my position and advance both personally and professionally. I'm eager to put everything I've learned into practice and carry on with enthusiasm and optimism on my path to success."
Claude Abboud
Founder of Sheghel Emme
I truly enjoyed every course I participated in as part of the Lebanon Export Academy. It was all elaborative and well explained as the instructors had a high experience in their fields.
Lillian Masri
Owner of Lillys
The training was beneficial as the courses were interactive and we learned from shared experience and live examples.
Thouraya Karam
ATIK SAL
Technology Used
The academy offers three types of innovative learning modalities to meet learners' needs in today’s fast-paced environment: In-person, hybrid and self-paced. Self-paced courses provide access to online interactive content material and tools. At the end of each course, participants can take a self-assessment to test/assess the knowledge they acquired from the course.
Catalytic Outlook
The Lebanese agri-food MSMEs often based in rural areas with few employment opportunities. The more MSMEs that are able to reach export markets for their products, the more resilient the Lebanese economy will be, particularly in rural areas.
Unique Solution Characteristics
The Lebanon Export Academy illustrates an excellent example of Private and Public Partnership (PPP) where no other institution in the country was providing training on export readiness. The content of the training modules was developed based on the needs of Lebanese MSMEs, and LEA effectively filled a gap with its innovative e-learning platform that is available and accessible to all with women-led MSMEs at the center.
- Government of Canada
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Introducing Soumaya
(Arabic with English subtitles)
Introducing Rita Fakhry
(Arabic with English subtitles)
Lebanon Export Academy Website
