The UK's Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt (pictured), has visited Tunisia to launch Forsa, the Deauville Partnership's Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) mentoring initiative. Working with our regional and international partners Forsa will deliver mentoring support across the six transition countries - Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Jordan and Yemen.
Ahead of the launch, Mr Burt said:
"Forsa, which means opportunity in Arabic, will help the G8 and regional partners to share expertise and nurture entrepreneurial skills in Arab countries undergoing transition.
"Focussing on young and female entrepreneurs, Forsa will establish mentoring relationships between at least 250 entrepreneurs and business people from across the Deauville Partnership."
Strong economic development and job creation will be the key to success for the transition countries. Throughout the UK's Presidency of the G8 Deauville Partnership, we will support reforms in transition countries and deliver practical assistance. We will encourage an increased role for the private sector - the key to long lasting growth - and increase the opportunities available to youth and women.
