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Ammon News - In line with its objectives to facilitate access to business development services for home-based businesses (HBBs) and micro and small enterprises (MSEs), The Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa), through one of its implementation partners - Migrate, launched its first business hub in the governorate of Al Balqa - Salt on the 18th of February 2024. The launch event was attended by the governor of Al Balqa’a H.E. Dr. Firas Abu Qaoud and members from the local community and MSE owners, in addition to representatives from Mercy Corps - the lead implementer of Iqlaa.

The Business Hubs initiative aims to establish an ecosystem that provides HBBs and MSEs access to a managed network of service providers, shared workspaces, meeting rooms, promotion and visibility opportunities, and daily administrative support. Additionally, the hubs offer an array of on-demand business services including business linkages, market research and customer inquiry management, as well as specialized 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 franchisees, who are existing business owners, have been identified to own and manage the business hubs across Jordan, located in areas including Amman, Jerash, Zarqa, Karak, Salt, and Aqaba.

With sufficient space to serve 30 individuals, the business hub in Salt offers its HBB and MSE members a diverse package of services including business and administrative support tailored to their needs. At a later stage, the membership will grant access to a digital platform where members can easily connect and exchange business opportunities, overcoming spatial and capacity limitations.

Emphasizing the significance of the business hubs, Laith al Qassem, Chief of Party at Iqlaa, 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 establishing 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.”

The Informal Livelihoods Advancement Activity (Iqlaa) is a five-year program that started in 2022 and aims to support Jordan's HBBs and MSEs to grow, transform, and become resilient to future shocks. Iqlaa’s approach explores new ways of doing business and improving access to finance, markets, and services. The program focuses on four sectors: agriculture, hospitality and 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.