The Business Development Center (BDC) is a Jordanian non-profit organization committed to economic development and building a better life for all Jordanians. To achieve these goals, the BDC assists Jordanian enterprises in realizing their full potential by enhancing their competitiveness and efficiency, thus preparing them to compete successfully in regional and international markets. Additionally, this assistance fosters job creation and improves the income of Jordanian workers. As a regional and national resource, the Center also launches business development service initiatives and facilitates numerous economic development projects for national and international donors.

Established in 2005, the Business Development Center is the sustainable successor institution to the USAID-funded, $27 million economic development program, the Jordan-United States Business Partnership (JUSBP). As such, the BDC inherited the hands-on knowledge, networks and experience gained during JUSBP’s seven years of effective firm-level assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Jordan.

Working with an even broader range of donors, business service providers and partners today, the BDC has expanded upon the efforts which led to such outstanding accomplishments in the past. The BDC is committed to managing all of their projects and pipeline initiatives in order to help Jordanian SMEs navigate the challenges and opportunities of the competitive business and trade environment to reach ever higher levels of achievement.

Chief among the business development projects the BDC now manages for international donors is the USAID-funded Tatweer, the Business & Export Development Project for Jordanian Enterprises, which focuses on enhancing competitiveness of Jordanian SMEs and maximizing the benefits of Jordan-US free trade agreements. The BDC is also managing the Middle East Partnership Initiative's (MEPI's) Financial Operations Results project, “FOR-Jordan”, which aims to create a common financial language between SMEs and banks that will encourage loans to fuel growth and competitiveness.

Through its grants facilitation services, the BDC offers other clients and partners unmatched capabilities to:

• Implement programs and deliver services to Jordanian SMEs;

• Design, facilitate and promote business development services in Jordan and the region;

• Offer appropriate training interventions which draw on local, regional and international experts and focus on middle management and women-owned businesses;

• Foster strategic supply and business linkages for international trade; and

• Manage grants or funds specifically targeted for SME development in strict compliance with donors’ criteria and financial and program management specifications.

The Business Development Center is also launching several new initiatives that are open to the participation of international donors. Among these are:

• Establishing a National Volunteer Council for Economic Development;

• Creating the first Jordanian Export Achievement Award competition; and

• Launching a special program for the empowerment of women-owned businesses and women entrepreneurs.

What We Do:

Manage & Facilitate SME Development Projects for International and National Donors

• Tatweer: Business & Export Development Project for Jordanian Enterprises; and

• FOR-Jordan: Financial Operations Results.

IDEAS: Initiatives for the Development of Enterprise Actions

Promoting Export

• Providing export counseling services; and

• Creating an Export Achievement Award.

Fostering Financial Linkages

• Providing access to financial resources;

• Sharing information between financial institutions and SMEs; and

• Strengthening SME operations and financial capabilities.

Promoting Business Development Services Best Practices

• Establishing an annual regional BDS conference;

• Providing training on BDS best practices ; and

• Building the capacity of local service providers.

Building the Capacity of Middle Management

• Enhancing and upgrading SME middle management and family-owned businesses capabilities;

• Drawing upon local, US and international expert and volunteer trainers, through our in-house training department; and

• Establishing partnerships with international certified training institutions and universities.

Establishing a National Volunteer Council for Economic Development

• Maintaining a comprehensive database of volunteer trainers and practitioners; and

• Matching companies with persons possessing local and/or regional expertise.

Increasing the Competitiveness of Women-Owned Businesses

• Encouraging women entrepreneurs to be more active players in the manufacturing and services sectors;

• Providing a forum for peer dialogue and support;

• Offering workshops and training on strategies, resources and networks; and

• Delivering firm-level assistance.

Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility

• Encouraging all Jordanian SMEs to contribute to social welfare and development.

Promoting Occupational Safety and Health Standards among Jordanian Enterprises

• Enhancing and upgrading SMEs' knowledge and adherence to occupational safety and health standards.