The 2nd MEPI Funded Business Skills Training Programs for 2006

The 2nd MEPI Funded Business Skills Training Programs for 2006
Program Description: In October 2004, a grant from Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) of the US Department of State was awarded to the William Davidson Institute (WDI) at the University of Michigan Business School and Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane (AUI) to provide business skills training in French to 60 Moroccan entrepreneurs and business people in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) from all sectors around Morocco. This program was evaluated as successful such that the grant was extended for another year to provide training in 2006. AUI recommended a different approach for the next round of training by suggesting that all sessions be conducted in Moroccan Arabic (Darija), with some necessary French terminology, in order to benefit those who do not have a sufficient level of French to follow lectures and discussions. The instructors for the training programs are primarily from AUI with special attention being paid to developing materials in Arabic. One marketing professor is coming from Georgia State University arranged by the WDI. In addition to her talking about her marketing specialty, Dr. Sevin Eroglu will also touch on Morocco-Turkey Free Trade Agreement (FTA). AmCham and Moroccan Center of Export Promotion (CMPE) will conduct sessions with reference to the Morocco-US FTA, trade fairs, and exporting procedures and mechanisms. Details of the first week’s program for women’s handicraft co-operatives: The first training is for 30 leading women of handicraft co-ops located in cities, small towns and remote regions of Morocco. Some of these women exhibit entrepreneurial characteristics and have actively participated in the creation and leading of co-ops. The program includes new government regulations of co-ops to be presented by representatives and delegates of the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts and Social Economy of Meknes, Fez, and Sefrou. Experienced women from successful co-ops will facilitate the opening workshop. Basic accounting, product cost accounting, methods of financing new products/projects, and basic banking are important components of the program. There will also be a short sessions to introduce the women to computers and information technologies who might not have the opportunity otherwise. In addition to the all day session of Dr. Eroglu which covers basic marketing, the Marketing Director of Aid to Artisans (ATA) will discuss product development and planning in the wrap-up sessions of the program. Gregg Johnson, a master weaver and Peace Corps Volunteer, will conduct a color workshop. Dr. Ahmed Driouchi of the Institute of Economic Analysis and Prospective Studies (IEAPS) has kindly provided recently made films of co-ops and community development issues in Safi and Essaouira. Another film of a co-op development from India will also be shown to the participants. This training is also linked to the Hillary Rodham Clinton Women's Empowerment Center (HRCWEC) of Al Akhawayn University. Members of the Gender & Development Association have volunteered to help throughout this program. The participants coming from Ain Leuh, Azrou, Midelt, Imilchil, Sefrou, Khenifra, Sidi Ifni, Tinjidad, Boubdnib, Safi, Meknes, Fez and other towns and villages will bring some of the products of their co-ops. These products will be displayed for viewing and sale in the Game Room aka the Student Lounge in Building 2 on Thursday, March 2 from 18:00 to 20:00 only. All members of the AUI community are invited to see the products and participate in an important consumer survey. Dr. Mary Mathew and some students of her Marketing Research class (MKT4304) will conduct a consumer survey of those who attend the display. Even if you do not intend to buy, your comments and preferences will be important information. Results of the survey will be presented the next day to the training participants in order to prompt discussion of product development issues for local and international consumers and markets. The Entrepreneurship Club will be making a contribution which is still to be determined. Details of the second week's program for SMEs: The second group will benefit 30 business men and women of SMEs from cities and towns around Morocco in close cooperation with the Hammad Kassal, President of the Federation of SMEs (Fédération des PME/PMI), and the Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Service (CCIS) located in 26 major cities around Morocco. The 5-day program includes accounting, finance, marketing, planning, and exporting with reference to the FTAs which is similar to the program offered last year. Dates: 27 Feb to 03 March (Women's Handicraft Co-operatives) 06 - 10 March (SMEs) The training programs are closed sessions and will take place in the EEC. Should you have any questions about the training programs, please contact the program administrator Amy Fishburn at 2374. Co-op program description in Arabic SME program description in Arabic The William Davidson Institute

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