On 2 May the new board of directors for the Egyptian Junior Business (EJB) will be elected. The elections to choose 11 board members are currently a run-off among 21 candidates. The chairperson of the association, two deputies, the secretary-general, and the treasurer will be chosen from those.
Two main alliances are pursuing the seats: EJB United Alliance and Connect Alliance. The election programme of EJB United relies on a number of aspects, including developing all services provided to members, organising two door-knocking campaigns to promote businesses, encourage foreign direct investment, and launch a small and medium enterprises (SMEs) investment fund as well as a Women Enterprise Development Fund.
The alliance also plans to set up two funds to strengthen the association’s ties with state institutions by activating the communication between the specialised committees of the association, such as transport, energy, textile, tourism, and industry, with the competent authorities. The alliance also aims to form a committee for government relations.
Moreover, the alliance said it will work to hold two meetings per month with officials of different sectors, including ministers and governors, as well as heads of banks and financing companies, to support the association’s access to development plans.
Finally, EJB United will work on launching a number of new initiatives in several fields, such as foreign direct investment, sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and women empowerment.
The Connect Alliance aims to be a key partner in the development of the national economy through communication with decision makers to serve young businesspeople and create possible investment opportunities, in addition to encouraging integration between member companies and overcome the obstacles members face.
This alliance aims to open local and international markets, cooperate with various parties to create new export opportunities, facilitate access to banking and non-banking financing opportunities from local and international institutions, and participate in policy development to benefit the business climate and the national economy as a whole by communicating with the legislative and executive bodies of the state.
The alliance also aims at providing economic, industrial, and legislative information first hand and dealing with problems quickly and effectively.
