The “Technical Assistance Facility for the Lebanese Private Sector” (EU-TAF) programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by DAI/ Hulla & Co Human Dynamics, was officially launched during an event held virtually in the presence of participants from industries, representatives from business associations, chambers of commerce, syndicates, universities, NGOs, investors, donors, and other relevant stakeholders.
The EU-TAF programme is focused on realising the potential of Lebanon’s productive sectors through supporting innovation, diversification and scaling growth nationally and internationally. The programme works directly with individual companies in the sectors of Agrifood, Healthcare and Creative/ICT, to overcome many of the challenges and impediments that such businesses encounter in deploying innovation, improving competitiveness, and penetrating, more deeply, local, and international markets.
The initiative, and associated support activities have become even more relevant in the context of the currency crisis, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the potential and the recovery of the Lebanese economy.
Mr. Jose Luis Vinuesa Santamaria, Head of Sector Economy and Local Development, Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon highlighted the importance of the private sector in the economy and the role of the European Union. He said “As a fundamental and vibrant pillar of the economy, the private sector has an essential role to play, now more than ever, in contributing to economic recovery. It is thus a priority of the European Union to support the Lebanese private sector, particularly in today’s challenging environment, and the Technical Assistance Facility that we are launching today is a great example of this support”.
On his part, Mr. Eulogio Montijano, Programme Manager, Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon stated on the programme’s objective “Through access to appropriate expertise, the programme will boost the Lebanese innovation system and enhance industrial competitiveness nationally and internationally, helping Lebanese enterprises better address the challenges and opportunities presented by the current crisis”.
Mr. Declan Carroll, Team Leader, presented the programme support mechanisms, the engagement process and the launch of the coming rounds of support.
“We are working with dynamic, growth-oriented, enterprises to achieve business development objectives. This includes, in addition to access to international and local consulting expertise, introducing, as appropriate, international networks, channel partners, technology transfer opportunities, access to supply chains, financing options, among others. Our approach, planning and implementation is cognizant, always, of the current and evolving situation and will adapt appropriately to the challenges and needs of our supported enterprises” Mr. Caroll explained.
“Our support is individually designed, intensive, matching the growth plans of companies and delivered through international and local expertise over a 12 to 18 month period. Companies are selected for support through an open process and the first cohort of 16 companies, already engaged. There will be a further 2 rounds the next of which will open for submissions in mid-April and in October 2021” Mr. Carroll added.
The details of the calls and the support offered is available on: https://eu-taf.eu/
