ACED Program is supporting the strengthening and establishment of Aqaba based Business Associations

The ACED Program started working on developing the capacity and establishment of new and existing Associations in the summer of 2009.Since then the program provided support to the establishment of new business associations as a mean of enabling the private sector to identify common problems and formulate strategic business plans to support business development efforts, and help associations develop management capabilities and systems to implement strategic plans and aid them to establish additional formal and informal channels for public-private dialogue (PPD) to create a more favorable business environment in ASEZ and remove obstacles facing private sector development.

After establishing the associations; the association members will receive training on advocacy and developing the appropriate communication channels to approach ASEZA and other public organizations to discuss their problems. They will be assisted also to increase their members and financial revenues and provide distinguished services to their members.

As a result of the efforts done by Component 2, a new Association for Aqaba hotels was established and currently it's in the last stages of official registrations. Moreover, the program is working with the Syndicate of Mechanics by helping them to write their Business plan, in order to be ready to apply for a grant that will enable them to hire staff, increase and maintain their members, and be able to conduct exhibitions and fairs.