The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with Facebook and Rise up, launched “The Messenger Bot” to support small- and medium-sized enterprises in the Middle East and North Africa region.
Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, explained that the Bot is one of the mechanisms for promoting a culture of entrepreneurship, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting young people and supporting their ideas by providing them with the necessary assistance on their projects.
El-Said noted that her Ministry has continuously sought to provide mechanisms to support the culture of entrepreneurship and that the Ministry has aimed at creating business incubators through the Project Rowad 2030, launched by the Ministry to promote a culture of self-employment, foster the thinking of young people, extract creative ideas from them, and strengthen their belief in their ability to develop ideas and projects that will contribute to the economic development of the state and even to the creation of employment.
The launch of the platform was an important step that supported the thinking of digital transformation and the activation of modern technology mechanisms.
The platform enabled the SME community to have the most relevant advice and recommendations for decisions to their firms, with a highlight on new and innovative ways to guide SMEs in the Middle East by providing reliable information.
Ramzi Shahadi, CEO of Facebook for the Middle East and North Africa, said: “Small enterprises are currently in the survival phase. Small enterprises that operate digitally are flexible, and we are committed to providing tools and resources that will enable SMEs to drive economic growth, create jobs and strengthen communities throughout Egypt, as part of our local initiative. We are pleased to partner with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and Rise up to provide a programme of detailed recommendations and guidance to help companies that form the backbone of our economy get back on their feet.”
Facebook also announced that they were determined to work with the Ministry and Rise Up to identify the needs of the SME community and adapt the platform accordingly. The aim of the project is to provide information and resources that support start-ups on different fronts, such as directing financial support with assistance or business support schemes to cope with the Coronavirus epidemic and directions for capacity-building.
Abdul Hamid Sharara, Founder of Rise Up, said: “Business Bot will provide a source of guidance and support for various companies throughout the Middle East and North Africa region. The Bot will serve as a reliable source of information and guidance to assist start-ups at each stage, linking them to the most appropriate resources needed for progress and growth.”
Rise up is to manage the initiative with its considerable expertise and knowledge of the system and requirements of small and medium-sized enterprises, where rise up is committed to providing Bot with the educational content of start-ups and ambitious entrepreneurs, guided by its seven main pillars.
It should be noted that the vital role of the Ministry of Planning will be to provide the platform with various available initiatives, such as financing and education for SMEs in Egypt in particular and for the Middle East and North Africa region in general.
Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses and Egypt’s orientation towards youth support, the platform will serve as a major source of support and assistance to SMEs and support their survival and prosperity throughout the region, you can access the Bot through: https://m.me/MPEDEGYPT
