Iqlaa launches business hubs in Jordan to support small businesses

AMMAN — The first business hub of The Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) launched on Sunday in the Balqa governorate with assistance from implementation partner “Migrate”, following its goals to facilitate access to business development services for home-based businesses (HBBs), micro and small enterprises (MSEs).

The business hubs initiative aims to establish a system that provides HBBs and MSEs access to a managed network of service providers, shared workspaces, meeting rooms, promotion and visibility opportunities, as well as daily administrative support, according to a Mercy Corps statement. 

Additionally, the hubs offer an array of on-demand business services including business linkages, market research and customer inquiry management, as well as specialised assistance with legal document drafting and review. The hubs function as a system that assists businesses by offering them a marketplace to connect and create collaborative opportunities, thereby strengthening the business-support ecosystem in Jordan. 

The business hubs are managed through a franchising model offered by Migrate through the Iqlaa program. Under this model, six franchises have been identified to own and manage the business hubs across Jordan, located in areas including Amman, Jerash, Zarqa, Karak, Salt and Aqaba, the statement said.

Emphasising the significance of the business hubs, Chief of Party at Iqlaa, Laith Qassem, said, “Driven by its objectives to support HBBs and MSEs grow and become more resilient, Iqlaa aims through this initiative to help develop a vibrant business support ecosystem that fosters innovation and creates a lasting impact in Jordan”.

He added, “Through our partnership with Migrate, we are committed to establish a symbiotic relationship between business development service providers and MSEs, catering to the unique needs of HBBs and MSEs through bundled development services. These efforts will further accelerate the expansion and development of enterprises across the country”.

Elaborating on the company’s partnership with Iqlaa for this initiative, Nader Nemeh, Migrate’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “Migrate aims to positively impact the local business community by establishing business hubs, assisting MSEs in addressing their core business challenges, and facilitating expansion at reduced costs and risks. Through the 6 new business hubs, we are rolling different governorates in Jordan, adding up to our network of existing 9 hubs, we aim to reach with our services a wide range of MSEs in need of diverse business support services.”

Iqlaa’s approach explores a new way of doing business to improve MSEs and HBBs access to finance, markets, and services. The programme focuses on four sectors: agriculture, hospitality, tourism, manufacturing, and services, with a special focus on technology development and implementation. Iqlaa infuses a gender, youth, and social inclusion lens throughout all interventions, according to the statement.