Washington, DC /eNewsChannels/ — The State Department’s Office of the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce the signing of two new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the governments of Bahrain and Oman to promote entrepreneurship in the Middle East and expand trade opportunities for America’s small businesses.
The MOUs are the result of a shared vision between the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and MEPI to support economic development, with a special focus on the unique needs of women small business owners, and to provide technical assistance in the Middle East and North Africa. Both agreements lay out broad frameworks of mutual engagement and support between the SBA and the governments of Oman and Bahrain, and will be followed by detailed plans of action that will result in direct and impactful change for small and medium-sized enterprises in these countries.
MEPI creates vibrant partnerships between the U.S. and the citizens of the Middle East and North Africa to foster development of pluralistic, participatory, and prosperous societies throughout the region. MEPI works with local and international non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academic institutions and governments to expand political participation, strengthen civil society and the rule of law, empower women and youth, create educational opportunities, and foster economic growth. To learn more, please visit www.mepi.state.gov.
