Overview
The Arab SMEs Summit is a regional platform aimed at empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Arab region, improving their performance and expanding their potential beyond borders.
Building upon the success of the first edition of the Arab SMEs Summit held in Jordan in 2022, the 2023 edition seeks to harness this momentum and create a regional enabling environment for SMEs. The summit is dedicated to establishing an annual platform for the empowerment of SMEs in the Arab region and beyond within the larger framework of fostering the regional Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and sustaining human development, especially among young persons and women.
The 2023 summit will be held from 12 to 14 December in Marrakesh, in partnership with the Moroccan Ministry of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills. It will be a unique international and regional event at all levels, including organization, partnerships, attendance, exhibition, award, coverage and impact.
The three-day summit will feature discussions on three key sub-themes:
- Day 1: Scaling up and internationalization.
- Day 2: Promoting Arab technologies.
- Day 3: Access to finance and supporting services.
Join us for this extraordinary gathering and become part of the transformative journey shaping the future of SMEs in the Arab region and beyond.
ASMEs Highlights
The Arab SMEs Summit 2022 [ First edition ]
The first edition of the Arab SMEs Summit, held under the theme “Opportunities Beyond Borders” and successfully concluded in Amman, brought together more than 800 participants from around the world, including a select group of entrepreneurs and stakeholders. It also featured an SMEs exhibition and an opportunities zone. The summit was widely received, witnessing several commitments from leading regional and international agencies to supporting Arab SMEs in a more coordinated and coherent approach. Its outcomes included enhanced partnerships, expanded opportunities and inclusive policies to support the growth of Arab SMEs.
Wrap-up Video Event WebsiteASMEs 2022
The Arab SMEs Summit 2023 [ Second edition ]
The Arab SMEs Summit 2023 will be held under the theme "From Resilience to Prosperity," with a focus on supporting Arab SMEs in overcoming challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic hurdles. It will take place in Morocco at the Palais des Congrès in Marrakesh over three days in December 2023 and will be backed by the Moroccan Government and its leadership. As the largest SME gathering in the Arab region, the event will unite 3,000 carefully selected participants, including entrepreneurs, investors, influencers, political leaders, economists, journalists, non-governmental organizations and donors, to explore regional and international business opportunities for Arab SMEs.
ASMEs 2023
Agenda
Opening Session
Session 1
Global and regional socio-economic developments: A perfect storm
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
09:00 - 09:30 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Rotana Palmeraie Palace, The Atlas Auditorium,
Watch Session
Opening note
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H.E. Aziz Akhannouch, Prime Minister of Morocco
Keynote speaker
Dr. Rola Dashti, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
H.R.H Prince Abdullaziz Bin Talal Abdullaziz Al Saud , President of Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND)
H.E. Younes Sekkouri, Minister of Economic Inclusion, Small Business, Employment and Skills, Morocco
DAY-1: Scaling Up and Internationalization
Session 1
Inspirational panel: businesses beyond borders
Tuesday, 12 December 2023
09:30 - 10:30 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Rotana Palmeraie Palace,The Atlas Auditorium
Watch Session
Showcases of inspirational businesses from the Arab region that crossed borders and scaled up regionally and internationally.
Moderator
Hala Mahfouz, CEO of Rafeeq organisation, Jordan
Speakers
Hamad Al Hajri, CEO of Snoonu, Qatar
Nabila Bouhlal, CEO of Pure Heritage Essaouira, Morocco
Azzam Ibrahim, CEO of Craft Store, Sudan
Parallel Sessions: Parallel Capacity Building Workshops and Side Events
Policy Dialogue
12 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Tichka Hall
Policy Dialogue Download watch recorded session
Green Technologies and Business Models Track
12 December 2023
11:30 - 16:30 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Oliveraie Hall
ToT Regional eCommerce & Business Advisors Track
12 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Palmeraie Hall
ToT Regional eCommerce & Business Advisors Track Download
SMEs Pitching
12 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Siroua Hall
SMEs Pitching Download
Export Readiness for SMEs Track
12 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Orangeraie Hall
eCommerce Acceleration Track
12 December 2023
11:30 - 17:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Roseraie Hall
Technology & Innovation Enablement
12 December 2023
11:30 - 13:30 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Diamant Hall
Technology & Innovation Enablement Download
Day 2: Promoting Arab Technologies
Session 1:
Inspirational panel: transformative technologies and disruptive business models.
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
09:00 - 09:45 (Morocco Time – GMT+1)
Rotana Palmeraie Palace,The Atlas Auditorium
Watch Session
Showcases of inspirational technology leaders from the Arab region.
Moderator
Leila Hadrami, Managing Director of Communities Connect Cities, Oman
Speakers
Yasmine Abdel Karim, CEO of Yalla Fel Sekka, Egypt
Noor Boresly, CEO of Medesign Company, Kuwait
Ziad Abi Chaker, Founder of Cedar Environmental LLC, Lebanon
Fatima ElKhalifa, Director of Cluster ENR/Climate Innovation Centre, Morocco
Session 2:
High-level panel: Leveraging Technology for SMEs Growth and
Empowerment.
Wednesday, 13 December 2023
09:45 - 10:30 (Morocco Time – GMT+1)
Rotana Palmeraie Palace,The Atlas Auditorium
Watch Session
Discussion on how technology can drive growth for Arab SMEs and pave the way for economic empowerment and prosperity in the region.
Moderator
Ibrahim Al-Jubari, Entrepreneurship Professor at Brunel University London, Yemen
Speakers
Octavi Quintana Trias, Director of PRIMA Foundation, Spain
Virginie Ruyer, Director of ANIMA Advisory Services, Morocco
Winslow Sargeant, CEO of Purple Technologies and S&T Investment Firm, USA
Parallel Sessions: Parallel Capacity Building Workshops and Side Events
Policy Dialogue
13 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Tichka Hall
Policy Dialogue Download watch recorded session
Green Technologies and Business Models Track
13 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Oliveraie Hall
ToT Regional eCommerce & Business Advisors Track
13 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Palmeraie Hall
ToT Regional eCommerce & Business Advisors Track Download
Investor Insights
13 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Siroua Theatre
Investor Insights Download watch recorded session
How to Start a Business?
13 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Orangeraie Hall
How to Start a Business? Download
Empowering Creative Industries Track
13 December 2023
11:30 - 13:30 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Roseraie Hall
Empowering Creative Industries Track Download
Women Empowerment in Entrepreneurship
13 December 2023
11:30 - 16:00 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Diamant Hall
Women Empowerment in Entrepreneurship Download
Day 3: Access to finance and supporting services
Session 1:
Inspirational panel: impact investment and support initiatives.
Thursday, 14 december 2023
09:00 - 09:40 (Morocco Time – GMT+1)
Rotana Palmeraie Palace,The Atlas Auditorium
Watch Session
Inspirational showcases of impact investment, innovative financial models, and supporting initiatives that empowered SMEs across the Arab region.
Moderator
Wafa Makhlouf, Executive Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development (CEED), Tunisia
Speakers
Mehdi Alaoui, CEO of LaStartupStation, Morocco
Rania Ayman, CEO of Entreprenelle, Egypt
Mustafa Elsagezli, General Director of BINA Program, Libya
Mohammed Hijazi, CEO of the Palestinian Young Businessmen Council, Palestine
Session 2:
High-level panel: Regional opportunities for accessing finance and support services.
Thursday, 14 december 2023
09:40 - 10:30 (Morocco Time – GMT+1) Rotana Palmeraie Palace,The Atlas Auditorium
Watch Session
Discussion on how regional and international finance and support services can bolster the growth and expansion of Arab SMEs.
Moderator
Hala Barakat, Director of the AUC Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Egypt
Speakers
Nasser Alkahtani, Executive Director of the Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND)
Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) and the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD)
Hicham Zanati Serghini, Director-General of Tamwilcom, Morocco
Closing Ceremony
- ESCWA Awards
- Regional and National Commitments
- Announcement of the Arab SMEs Summit 2024
Thursday, 14 December 2023
11:30 - 01:30 (Morocco Time – GMT+1)
Rotana Palmeraie Palace,The Atlas Auditorium
Entrepreneurship Awards:
- Announcement of Winners in ESCWA's SME Competitions.
- Announcement of Winners in Partners' SME Competitions.
Regional and National Commitments:
- ESCWA commitments for supporting Arab SMEs.
- Partners’ commitments to supporting Arab SMEs.
Announcement of the Arab SMEs Summit 2024
