The objective of IFC Advisory Service’s Corporate Advice business line is to enhance the performance and competitiveness of local enterprises in the global economy by developing and distributing tools to help them meet changing market needs.
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in economic development, and are key to promoting job growth and innovation. To become such an engine of growth, local firms need to operate according to international standards, and be competitive in global markets. Economies in the Middle East and North Africa region tend to be dominated by a small number of large companies that have relatively few links with the large number of surrounding small and informal enterprises.
While the percentage of SMEs is not different from other regions, their contribution to the gross domestic product is significantly lower. Several factors hamper the performance of local firms and make it difficult for them to compete in the global economy. To address these constraints, IFC Advisory Service's Corporate Advice business line focuses on the following programs:
Gender Mainstreaming Activities
In addition, IFC Advisory Services takes a mainstream approach to integrating a gender perspective into operations through its Gender Mainstreaming activities. This approach allows for projects to be implemented in areas where IFC Advisory Services has core competencies, and where it can make the greatest difference. Building on IFC Advisory Service’s core competencies, gender activities will focus on key areas of financial and nonfinancial services that will help intermediary institutions better understand and cater to the needs of women entrepreneurs and help them access products to improve their participation in the private sector.
For additional information contact:
Mary Porter Peschka
Senior Operations Manager
E-mail:
mpeschka@ifc.org 
