PEP MENA Gender Entrepreneurship Markets Analysis Tool (August 2005)

Gender Entrepreneurship
Markets (GEM)
REALIZING HIDDEN VALUE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part A – Introduction ............................................................................... 5

Part B – Methodology............................................................................ 13
Part C – Analysis Outline...................................................................... 17
Part D – Information Sources and Contacts ....................................... 19
Part E – Country Profile – Macro Background Data........................... 31
Part F – Interview Guidelines ............................................................... 37
• Section I
General Interview Guidelines ......................................................... 38
• Section II
Detailed Interview Guides .............................................................. 39
Part G – Focus Group Guidelines ........................................................ 89

• Section I
General Focus Group Guidelines................................................... 90
• Section II
Focus Group Guide: Female Entrepreneurs .................................. 94
• Section III
Focus Group Guide: Male Entrepreneurs ...................................... 97
• Appendix I
Sample Invitation Letter (English & Arabic).................................. 101
• Appendix II
Entrepreneur Registration Form (English & Arabic) ..................... 103
Part H – Analysis Tool ........................................................................ 109
ANNEXES ...................................................................................................
• GEM Mapping Methodology ...................................................................
• GEM Mapping Process ...........................................................................
• Sample Interview Schedule ....................................................................
• Sample Contact List................................................................................
• Links to GEM Information Sources .........................................................
3
PART A
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
THE GENDER and ENTREPRENEURSHIP MARKET (GEM) ANALYSIS:
Overview
This manual provides practical guidance on how to analyze the needs of male and
female entrepreneurs and how to open up opportunities to allow women to develop
their businesses. Female-owned enterprises in developing economies tend to be fewer,
smaller and less likely to grow than male-owned enterprises1. Market failures discriminate
more against women then men and some of these imbalances can be addressed by
technical assistance interventions.
To serve the needs of women entrepreneurs, the IFC is preparing to launch a Gender and
Entrepreneurship Markets (GEM) Program in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
region through its Private Enterprise Partnership facility (PEP-MENA). The Program will
provide technical assistance solutions to female-owned enterprises, focusing on identified
market gaps and barriers. It also will seek to raise awareness about the valuable role
women can play in mainstream economic activities. The importance of female economic
participation has been overlooked in the region, as often women’s entrepreneurial activity
lies hidden behind the “informal sector” label and its close association with micro-income
generating efforts.
The Program will provide technical assistance to woman-owned small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) after having defined the gender-related market gaps and barriers in
country markets. The PEP-MENA GEM strategy builds on the overall World Bank, IFC
and PEP-MENA regional strategies. It is envisioned that the PEP-MENA GEM program
will be a two-year program launched in at least three countries starting September 1,
2005. Successful models will then be replicated and introduced to other countries as
appropriate.
PEP-MENA GEM studies are being used to assess the GEM stakeholders in a country
and identify the gender-related market failures and gaps that can be bridged by technical
assistance and capacity building efforts. The Program will cut across all the pillars of the
PEP-MENA strategy, seeking to promote equal access to and benefits from expanding
an economy for men as well as women. Currently the large majority of PEP-MENA’s
beneficiaries and actors are male.
The PEP-MENA strategy has four pillars:
• SME development
• Financial market development
• Business enabling environment improvement
• Privatization advisory services and public private partnerships (PPPs)
Importance of GEM
Gender inequality prevails throughout the Middle East and North Africa, posing a serious
obstacle to regional development. According the World Bank 2004 Middle East and
North Africa (MENA) gender report, if female economic participation rates in MNA had
been at predicted levels, per capita gross income might have been 0.7 percent higher
per year during the 1990s, representing a potential loss of per capita income growth of
1.9 % (the MNA equivalent of $400 billion) for the decade. Gender equity and greater
1
OECD 2000, Woman Entrepreneurship, issues and Policies.
6
female participation in the economy has become a necessity (World Bank PREM 2004
report). With rising unemployment rates and dependency ratios, women entrepreneurs
are increasingly recognized as an untapped source of economic growth.
While there has been considerable donor intervention in the MENA region to bolster
gender equity, little of this assistance has been directed at growth-oriented, women-owned
and operated small and medium enterprises. Once launched, women entrepreneurs are
“on their own” and expected to compete on an equal footing with their male counterparts.
Current research shows that conditions are far from equal for men and women in
business. Women still lag behind in literacy, education and business skills and lack the
opportunities to enhance those skills. Labor markets directly and indirectly discriminate
against women who must balance social and reproductive roles with entrepreneurial
activity. These multiple roles involve work that is unpaid. The result is that women have
less time and opportunity for paid, productive activity.
Research throughout the world demonstrates that women who earn and control decent
incomes are more likely than men to invest in the betterment of their communities and
societies. Therefore supporting the growth and success of female-owned businesses
carries both positive social as well as economic results. The PEP-MENA GEM Program
will support women’s participation in wealth creation activities and seek to accelerate the
growth of women’s enterprises.
With its strong track record in targeted technical assistance to the private sector, the
IFC PEP-MENA Facility is well positioned to serve as a market leader in strengthening
private sector development. It is hoped that apart from making a significant impact on
development, IFC will catalyze further interest and confidence in female entrepreneurship
in the MENA region.
MANUAL OVERVIEW:
This manual was developed by the IFC PEP-MENA facility in May 2005. Egypt was
chosen as the product development site because the PEP-MENA facility is based in
Cairo. The Gender and Entrepreneurship Market Analysis examines the differences
in male and female entrepreneurial success, identifying how gender inequality blocks
business opportunities and enterprise growth. The analysis is conducted over six weeks
by local consultants who are familiar with the country and its business environment. The
manual incorporates tools that provide step-by-step guidance. The outcome is a report
that profiles entrepreneurs by gender, identifies possible market interventions and
sets out a recommended plan of action. It is hoped that the findings will help program
developers promote gender equality by making sound decisions about which markets to
target and what kind of technical assistance to provide.
Each section addresses a different aspect of the process outlined in the table of contents.
In addition, an electronic toolkit is provided that includes:
• Information Sources Table
• Contacts List
• Country Gender and the Economy Macro Data
• The Interview Schedule Template
PROFILE OF RESERCHERS:
Ideally the research team should consist of three persons, with two primary and one
support researcher.
7
Lead Researcher Profile:
Required Characteristics:
• Experience with qualitative research methods (conducting interviews, moderating
focus groups, coding data).
• Grounded in international and local business climate and small and medium enterprise
sector practice.
• Familiar with local culture and social norms.
• Familiar with the status of women and local gender-based issues (note: a gender
specialist is not required as a general understanding of the issues facing women will
suffice for this research.)
• Excellent documentation / writing and analytical skills.
Preferred Characteristics:
• Fluent in English and understands local languages.
• Is a Post Graduate.
Local Researcher Profile:
• Strong research and interviewing skills
• Trained and/ or experienced in development economics.
• Grounded in local culture and social norms.
• Strong local business and public sector networks.
• Familiar with the status of women and local gender-based issues (note: gender
specialist is not required as a general understanding of the issues facing women will
suffice for this research.)
• Good documentation / writing and analytical skills.
• Fluent in local languages (read, write and speak) and English
• Post Graduate. Preferably an economist
Support Researcher Profile:
Required Characteristics
• Research and analysis skills
• Good data collection and organizational skills
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods2
• Telephone manner and skills (important for setting up interviews).
• Familiar with local culture and social norms.
• Fluent in local languages and English
• Is highly organized, pays attention to detail and is familiar with local business
climate
• Graduate
2
Depending on the type of research method used to procure information on demand, the support researcher may need to be familiar
with quantitative research methods in addition to qualitative methods. This should be determined by the IFC project manager and
primary researchers prior to the selection of a support researcher
8
PEP- MENA MAPPING STUDY
METHODOLGY
Method of Data
Area of Analysis Information Sources Collection
Government: • Ministry of Labor / Employment • Legal • Interview

Policy • Ministry of Industry, Trade and Entrepreneurship Specialists • Economic / Labor • Document Search
• Ministry of Investment / Economy • Gender
& Regulatory • Ministry of Finance (if applicable to SMEs)
Agencies • Ministry of Woman Affairs (where exists)
1 Environment • Ministry of Social Affairs
Government • SME Development Agencies • Economic Reports & Bulletins
& Quasi- example: Social Fund for Development Secondary • World Bank Documents
Government • Woman Councils of Representative Sources • Government Publications
structures • Donor Agencies Reports
Operations / • International Publications
Service Delivery example: National Council for Women
• Academic & Circular
Publications
• IFC Country Officer

Donor • World Bank Country Officer
• PEP-MENA Country Co-coordinator
• ILO Representative
• Largest/ Most Active Private Sector Development
Donor(s)
• Largest/ Most Active Gender Development Donor • International NGOs for example
Non-Financial Catholic Relief Services, Save
Service the Children, CARE • Interview
• Banks with Lending to SMEs
2 Supply Financial • Microfinance Institutions (with Female Institutions • Local Agencies & NGOs • Document Search
Service Clients) • Business Associations
Institutions • Venture Finance* • Women’s Associations
• Other Financial Service Providers (Leasing • Sector Based Associations
Companies, etc)
• Guarantee Facility Private Sector • Consulting Firms
Non-Financial • Individual Consultants
Service • Business Management
Trainers
Providers • Legal Experts
• Accountants • Focus Group
3 Demand • Female Clients
Clients • Male Entrepreneurs (Control
& End Users Group)
9
10
Research Process Diagram
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4
Research & Preparation Macro Environment Interviews Supply Interviews Demand / End User
Focus Groups
• Business
A-1 Specialists • Legal A-1 A-1 Associations Associations
Document • Labor Interviews • Women’s
A Interviews
Research • Gender Private Sector Non-Financial Associations
& Review Providers Focus
Service • Sector Based
A
- Consulatants Institutions Associations Groups
- trainers Female & Male
Entrepreneurs
• Economic Reports & Bulletins
• World Bank Documents • IFC Country Officer • Banks with Lending
• Government Publications
A-2 Donor • World Bank Country Officer A-2 Financial to SMEs
• Donor Agencies Reports Interviews • PEP-MENA Country Co- Service • Microfinance
• International Publications coordinator Institutions Institutions (with
• Academic & Circular • ILO Representative Female Clients)
Interviews • Venture Finance*
Publications • Private Sector Development
Donors • Other Financial
May Service Providers
• Gender Development
Donors Overlap (Leasing Companies,
etc)
Develop Government • SME Development Agencies A-3 NGO • Guarantee Facility
B A-3 example: Social Fund for • International NGOs
Contact List & Quasi- Interviews
Development for example Catholic
(in country) Government Non-Financial
• Woman Councils of Relief Services, Save
Operations / Service
Representative structures the Children, CARE
Service Delivery Institutions
example: National Council for • Local Agencies &
Interviews Women NGOs
• Business Associations
• Specialists
• Development Agency
Contacts
• NGO Contacts
• Donor Contacts Assess Additional Organize Focus
• Ministry Officials Good B Quality Input Required
B Groups
of Data Through support of
above organizations
Received
C Schedule
Interviews
• Ministry of Labor / Employment

• Ministry of Industry, Trade and
Government: Entrepreneurship
• Ministry of Investment / Economy
C
Policy & Regulatory
Continue with • Ministry of Finance (if applicable to
Agencies Interviews SMEs)
Step 3
• Ministry of Woman Affairs (where
exists)
• Ministry of Social Affairs
Refine Contact List (at every step)

Research Process Diagram (Continued)
Step 5 Step 6 Step 7
Analysis Documentation & Final Report Follow Up Correspondence &
Thank You Letters
• Thank You
Refine • Interview Notes Follow Up
Analyze Letters to
A A • Excel output A
Data Documents Correspondence Organizations
sheets
That Assisted
• Draft Report
with Focus
Groups
& Focus Group
Participants
• E-mails /
Follow up with
Final Interviewees as
B Needed
Report
11
PART B
METHODOLOGY
13
Methodology
This analysis uses qualitative research methods to understand how gender relates to
enterprise activity and growth. The purpose is to identify opportunities for intervention
that would ensure markets work more equally for men and women entrepreneurs. The
analysis framework explores three main areas that affect the viability and growth of small
and medium sized enterprises in a particular country:
Environment
• Gender dimensions of the Business Enabling Environment (BEE) as gleaned off
World Bank country studies
• The SME agenda as set largely by government / quasi-government and regulatory
agencies
• The impact of donor activities
• The impact of social, legal, technological, political, religious and cultural factors
Supply
• Includes both financial and non financial service providers that specifically service
the SME sector
• Includes intermediaries such as business associations and SME development
agencies
• Impact of donor activities
• Amount, quality and pricing of services
Demand
• SMEs / end users
• Perception of needs, main constraints and opportunities as identified by SMEs
This research manual covers a variety of qualitative research methods, including
document reviews, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups. These are used
to obtain both primary and secondary information regarding the SME sector. The
phenomenological method associated with qualitative research, involving coding and
extracting meaning from data, is used as the major form of analysis. Section H of this
manual provides a coding guide.
The decision to use qualitative versus quantitative research methods will depend
on several variables including the quality of quantitative information for SMEs and
other categories. In addition, the geographic distribution of women-owned SMEs may
influence the decision. For example, if women-owned enterprises are clustered in one or
two regions, it is probably better to use qualitative methods. Conversely, if large clusters
of women-owned SMEs are located in several geographically dispersed areas and there
is relatively good quantitative information available, a quantitative approach will probably
be the best.
The main limitation of the qualitative approach is that it is difficult to draw generalizations
from the findings. The sample is too small to be representative, and the data collection
method too contextual to allow the responses to be applied more broadly across
a population. The qualitative approach, however, does serve the purpose of the GEM
Analysis by informing the design of tailored programs. It also takes less time and fewer
resources than the quantitative survey approach. The advantage of the quantitative
14
survey is that the findings are much easier to generalize across the population and
the messages as what products to develop are clearer. This manual covers only the
qualitative approach. Another manual outlining the quantitative survey approach is being
compiled for publishing in September 2005.
The tools available in this manual for each area of analysis include:
Area of Analysis Research Method Research Tools Available
• World Bank studies (Listed in Part D)
• Other Information sources and contacts (Part D)
Environment Qualitative • Country macro background data sheet (Part E)
• Interview guide (Part G)
• Analysis tool (Part H)
• Information sources and contacts (Part D)
Supply Qualitative • Interview guide (Part G)
• Information sources and contacts (Part D)
Demand Qualitative • Focus group guide (Part F)
Quantitative • Available from PEP-MENA upon request
Approach
This section outlines how each area should be explored by describing the process used
for the Egypt study.
Environment
All the World Bank documents listed in section D were reviewed and relevant data was
collected from the other information sources. The appropriate government officials and
experts were identified based on an extensive document review. In addition, inquires
were made with the various ministries that regulate or influence SMEs. Interviews were
held with government officials of policy and regulatory agencies and quasi-governmental
service delivery agencies. A variety of experts were interviewed in order to assess the
environmental constraints and opportunities posed by the existing regulatory, legal,
macroeconomic, religious, and social framework.
International donors were interviewed to assess the influence of both the overall
environmental framework and supply of services to SMEs. The largest, most active
international donors in the areas of gender and SMEs were targeted.
Supply
On the supply side, interviews were conducted with both financial and non-financial
service providers from the private and public sectors. Financial service providers were
limited to banks and other financial institutions with lending to SMEs. Non-financial service
providers can include local consulting firms and individuals, universities, international
NGOs or projects sponsored by such NGOs, local NGOs, business associations and
women’s associations providing services.
15
Demand
Focus groups were used to obtain information from SMEs over the relatively short study
period. Different focus groups were held with male and female entrepreneurs in order to
assess gender differences. It was assumed that the circumstances faced by the male
entrepreneurs were the norm. Thus, these focus groups acted as a control group in the
study.
Focus group participants were identified through several channels including financial
institutions, business associations, governmental and non-governmental enterprise
development organizations.
Participants included clients or members of the business associations who receive
financial or non-financial services to operate an SME, or beneficiaries of a gender related
program aimed at improving capacity of woman entrepreneurship. Participants were
drawn mainly from the sectors highly populated by women SMEs.
16
PART C
ANALYSIS OUTLINE
17
Analysis Outline
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................
II. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................
III. METHODOLOGY .....................................................................................
IV. GENDER and the ECONOMY (Country Overview) .................................
1. Macro Economic Conditions
2. Women’s Participation in the Labor Force
3. Gender Issues
V. THE SME SECTOR...................................................................................

1. Definition of an SME
2. SME Policy
3. The Legal Framework
4. Administrative and Regulatory Barriers
VI. THE GENDER ENTREPRENEURSHIP MARKET

1. The Size of the Market
2. The Market Profile
3. Demand
4. Supply
VII. GAP ANALYSIS

1. Constraints to Woman Entrepreneurship Development and Growth
2. Gaps in Service Provision to Woman Entrepreneurs
VIII. PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Strategy
2. Potential Partners
3. Interventions
4. Program Positioning and Branding
X. CONCLUSION
18
PART D
Information Sources and Contacts
19
20
GENDER
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MARKETS (GEM)
ANALYSIS
Type Institution Individual Position / Title E-mail Telephone Address Website
Donors /
Development
Programs
Corniche 1191
International -579 (2-20) El Nil, World
Finance IFC Country
IFC Tareq Allouba Tallouba@ifc.org 5353/9900/ Trade Center www.ifc.org
Corporation / Officer
6565 Building, 12th
World Bank floor
Corniche 1191
Mr. Antoine PEP-MENA -579 (2-20) El Nil, World
IFC Courcelle Program acourcelle@ifc.org 5912/5812/ Trade Center www.ifc.org
Labrousse Manager 6468 Building, 19th
floor
Corniche 1191
El Nil, World
World Bank
World Bank Emanuel Mbi 5741-670-202 Trade Center www.worldbank.org.eg
Country Officer
Building, 15th
floor
Largest/
Most Active
Private Sector
Development
Donors
4d Gezira
Team Leader -
Street,
GTZ Martin Weiss SME Promotion martin.weiss.gtz.de 769-6966-012 /http://www.gtz.de/en
Zamalek, Cairo,
Project
11211
Jan Blum 4d Gezira
-736 / 9525-736
KfW Amr Abul Program Expert kfwcairo@tedata.net.eg Street,
9525
Elaxm Zamalek, Cairo
Corniche 1191
El Nil, World
Assistant Res
UNDP Ghada Waly ghada.waly@undp.org 5784840-6-202 Trade Center www.undp.org.eg
Rep
Building, 4th
floor
USAID Magdy Khalil SME Director mkhalil@usaid.gov 219-9843-012
Largest/ Most
Active Gender
Development
Donors
Mohamed 9
Fahmy El
Gender
Sayed St, Cairo
Ghada Equality GhadaAbdeltawab@egypt http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/index-
CIDA 3972737 (012) Capital Club
Abdeltawab Program Team psu.com e.htm
Building, 10th
Manager
Fl., Garden
City, Cairo
Soad Saadah
USAID ssaada@usaid.gov
((gender
Taha Hussain 9
Dr. Ibrahim http://www.ilo.org/public/english/
ILO Director awad@ilocai.org 0123-340 (202) St. Zamalek,
Awad /region/afpro/cairo
Cairo
Foundations
Konrad- Abu el-Feda 35

Christina Administrative
Adenauer- kaf@internetegypt.com 4329-735 St. Flat # 18, http://www.kas.de
Baade Coordinator
Stiftung Zamalek, Cairo
21
22
International
/ Local NGOs
& Projects
(SME / Gender /
(Entrpreneurship
http://www.catholicrelief.org/our_
Catholic Ibrahim ,13
Aladdin Fathi Mf Program work/where_we_work/overseas/
Relief afathi@crsegypt.org 372-9609-012 Nagib, Garden
Ali Manager middle_east_and_north_africa/
Services City, Cairo
egypt/index.cfm
http://www.catholicrelief.org/our_
Catholic Ibrahim ,13
MF Quality -795 / 1360-794 work/where_we_work/overseas/
Relief Maha Younes maha@crsegypt.org Nagib, Garden
control Officer 8034 middle_east_and_north_africa/
Services City, Cairo
egypt/index.cfm
Ahmed ,4
Pasha St., 6th
Near East Hamed Program / 141-7571-010 http://www.neareast.org/main/
cds.su1@neareast.org Floor, Garden
Foundation Hamed Manager 7558-795 countries/cr_52.aspx
City, Cairo,
Egypt
Ahmed ,4
Pasha St., 6th
Near East Managing http://www.neareast.org/main/
Alaa Saber cds.dir@neareast.org 7558-795 Floor, Garden
Foundation Director countries/cr_52.aspx
City, Cairo,
Egypt
Coptic
Block 1331, Dr.
Evangelical
2975872/ Ahmed Zaki
Organization
Waffa William 2975873/ Street, Nozha /http://www.ceoss.org.eg
for Social
2915902 El Gedida,
Services
Cairo
((CEOSS
Business
Development
Services
Support Senior Social
Linda El Nasr St, 48
Project- Development lpennells@bdsspegypt.net 244-5144-012
Pennells Maadi, Cairo
BDSSP Specialist
(BDS project
funded by
(CIDA
Specialists
Legal Experts
- Gender Issues
Porg el-hegaz,
Center for
El-Mohandes
Egyptian
Ms. Azza General info@cewla.org -356 / 6362-531 Abd El-hady
Women’s www.cewla.org
Soliman Director zoz4soli@hotmail.com 0578 St (elmagnona
Legal
sabican), Ard
Assistance
El-Iwaa
Local Economists
and/ or Labor
Specialists
Cairo
University, Vice Dean,
Faculty of Dr. Heba Enviromental -573 / 6224-797
hebanas@aucegypt.edu
Economics Nassar, PhD & Community 2933
& Political Affairs
Science
Gender and/or
Entrepreneurship
Specialists
Consultant
Independent
Lamia Bulbul / Research lbulbul@menanet.net
Researcher
Specialist
23
24
Government
/ Quasi-
Government
Ministry of Labor/
Employment
Ministry of
Industry, Trade and
Entrepreneurship
Ministry of
Investment (or
(Economy
Ministry of Social
Affairs (Dept of
(Women’s Affairs
Ministry of Woman
Affairs (where
(exists
SME SME
Ministry of Finance Development Rasha El- Development ,5789129-202
(if applicable to rhabashy@sme.gov.eg www.sme.gov.eg
Unit Habashy Specialist 5789443
(SMEs ((SMEPol ((SMEPol
SME
Development
Greg Goodwin ggoodwin@idrc.org.eg 578-9443-202 www.sme.gov.eg
Unit
((SMEPol
SME Development http://www.sfdegypt.org/
Agencies contact.htm
President,
Wadi El Nil ,1
Small
Social St. Moustafa
Yehia El Enterprise
Fund for yelagami@sedo.org 0892-303 Mahmoud
Agami Development
Development square, El
Organization
Mohandeseen
((SEDO
Womens Councils /
Representatives
National Corniche 1113
Farkhonda General
Council for ncw@ncwegypt.com 5747758-+202 El Nil, Tahrir, http://www.ncwegypt.com
Hassan Secretary
Women Cairo
Business
Associations
General
Egyptian
Business
Association
ESED (see
(below
Sector based
Women
Egyptian
Syria Street, 14
Business asfour2712@yahoo.com /
Amany Asfour President 3144361-012 Mohandeseen,
Women’s bpwegypt@yahoo.com
Cairo
Association
National
Technical
Council on
Advisor for Corniche 1113
Women -574 / 8194-574
Zeinab Safar Secretary zsafar@ncwegypt.com El Nil, Tahrir, www.ncwwbc.org.eg
- Women 7966
General of Cairo
Business
NCW
Center
Financial
Institutions
Banks Lending to
SMEs
Bank Misr
Banque du
Amr AbouEsh abouesh@bdc.com.eg 315-0208-012
Caire
National Rostom St. 9
Mona Manager - www.NBD@internetegyp
Bank for 232-6509-012 Garden City,
Mubarak Micro Division t.com
Development Cairo
National
General www.NBD@internetegyp
Bank for Mahoud Eid 4013-796
Manager t.com
Development
25
Cairo
26
International Ms. Sallab
(Bank (CIB
Microfinance
Institutions (with
(female clients
Egyptian
Small
Salem 13
Financial Enterprise 980-81/-3363
Ibrahim Shata esed003@hotmail.com Salem Street,
Institutions Development 2/4/5
Agouza, Cairo
Foundation
((ESED
Venture Finance
Other Financial
Service Providers
leasing)
(companies, etc
Guarantee Facility
Credit
Guarantee Naglaa Bahr nbahr@finbi.com 0876 311-012
Corporation
Clients
TBD via
Female Business
Enterprises Associations&
Social Fund
TBD via
Business
Male Enterprises Associations&
Social Fund
GENDER
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MARKETS (GEM) ANALYSIS
Gender Entrepreneurship
Markets (GEM) Analysis
Documents for Review and
Data Sources
Document / Source Type Name (Link (If Available Electronically
World Bank Publications &
Statistics
Country Data & Statistics http://www.worldbank.org/data/countrydata/countrydata.html
/http://poverty.worldbank.org/library/region/5
(Country Poverty Reduction Strategy Papar (PRSP http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTPOVERTY/

0,,contentMDK:20243429~menuPK:337018~pagePK:148956~piPK:
216618~theSitePK:336992,00.html
(Country Assistance Strategy (CAS /http://www-wds.worldbank.org
(Investment Climate Assessment (ICA #http://iresearch.worldbank.org/ics/jsp/index.jsp
Doing Business Report /http://rru.worldbank.org/DoingBusiness
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTGENDER/
(Country Gender Asessment (GCA 0,,contentMDK:20260648~menuPK:489221~pagePK:148956~piPK:
216618~theSitePK:336868,00.html
World Bank Education Statistics /http://www1.worldbank.org/education/edstats
World Bank Gender Statistics http://genderstats.worldbank.org/home.asp
(Labor & Employment Data (by Sector http://www.worldbank.org/data/wdi2004/pdfs/Table2_3.pdf
27
28
Government Publications &
Statistics
:Egypt Example Dept/ of Statistics Employment survey http://www.indicators.gov.eg
Ministry of Economic Planning Strategy or Action
Plan
National Proverty Reduction Strategies
Business Registry
Ministry of Woman Affairs publications
Woman Councils Reports http://www.ncw.gov.eg/new-ncw/arabic/rese_com.jsp

SME Development Agencies / Woman Entrep.
Surveys
State Information Service /http://www.sis.gov.eg
Ministry of Finance / SMEs /http://www.sme.gov.eg
Social Fund for Development /http://www.sfdegypt.org
(National Action Plans and Strategy (for women http://www.un.org/esa/gopher-data/conf/fwcw/natrep/NatActPlans/egypt.txt
Donor Agencies Reports

http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cida_ind.nsf/vall/FD5E808C78373A5685256BFF
Gender Profile
00737EB6
Gender Assessments
Women in Labor / Employment Surveys
SME Maps and Reviews http://www.netandshare.org/smes_egypt.htm

Private Sector Study and Reviews
Gender Disagregatted Sector Based Analysis
Project Descriptions
United Nations Publications &
Statistics
CEDAW Country Reports /http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw
(Progress of Worlds Women Report (UNIFEM http://www.unifem.org/index
Arab Human Development Report
UN Statistics Division /http://unstats.un.org/unsd
(UN Industrial Developmet Organization (UNIDO http://www.unido.org
Economic Reports & Bulletins
Arab Gateway Economic summaries http://www.al-bab.com/arab/econ/economy.htm
Economics Intelligence Unit Country Profiles /http://db.eiu.com
(U.S. Census Bureau International Data Base (IDB http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbnew.html

Academic / Circular
Publications / Other
Woman Entrepreneurship
Woman in the Private Sector
Woman Empowerment
Microfinance Gateway /http://www.microfinancegateway.org
29
30
GENDER
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
MARKETS (GEM) ANALYSIS
INTERVIEW SCHEDULE
Day Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs
Date / Time 7-Apr
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
01:00 PM
02:00 PM
03:00 PM
04:00 PM
05:00 PM
06:00 PM
07:00 PM
PART E
COUNTRY PROFILE – MACRO
BACKGROUND DATA
31
Country Profile – Macro Background Data
The following data sheet should be used to summarize key macro-level country indicators
on the following:
• Population
• Social Indicators
• Economy (gender disaggregate if information is available)
• Labor Force Participation
• Private Business Participation
• Cost of Doing Business
• Political Profile
The information required to populate the data sheet will come from a variety of sources
as outlined in the Information Sources and Contacts part of this report. Refer to this part
for a detailed outline and links to useful documents and statistical databases. An Excel
version of the data sheet template may be found in the electronic toolkit.
32
Data Sheet Template (Egypt Example)
Egypt Gender and Economy Trends
Egypt Macro/Country Profile (Middle East and North
Africa Averages in Brackets)1
Indicator Unit 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Population
40.9 46.5 52.4 58.2 63.9
Population, Total Millions
(174) (204) (237) (267) (294)
49
Population, female % of total 49 (49) 49 (49) 49 (49) 49 (49)
(49)
Economy
Current US$ 22.9 34.7 43.1 60.1 99.4

GDP
Billion (400) (439) (421) (511) (660)
GDP per capita, Current 1237 2009 2384 2786 3534
PPP international$ (2670) (3330) (3720) (4440) (5170)
GNI per capita, Current 1160 1820 2320 2790 3570
PPP international$ (2670) (3340) (3720) (4400) (5180)
GFCF, private
% of GDP 6 (-) 17 (-) 11 (-) 12 (-)
sector
Economic
Participation
14.3 16.3 18.3 21.0 24.3
Labor force, total Millions
(54.1) (63.8) (74.2) (86.5) (101.1)
% of total
Labor force, female 26 (24) 27 (24) 27 (24) 29 (26) 30 (28)
labor force
Unemployment, % of total
5 9 11 9 (13)
total labor force
Unemployment, % of female
19 18 24 23 (16)
female labor force
Unemployment, % of male
4 5 8 5 (11)
male labor force
Agricultural
Employment, % 82.7 60.5
female
Agricultural
% 48.0 32.8
Employment, male
1
Sources: World Bank MENA Gender Report, WDI & GDF Database, June 2005 (unless indicated otherwise)
33
Sheet Template (Egypt Example Continued)
Indicator Unit 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Industrial
female
Industrial
% 20.3 25.7
Employment, male
Services
female
Services
% 31.8 41.5
Employment, male
Political
Participation
Proportion of
seats held by
% 4 (5) 2 (4)
women in national
parliaments
Human
Development
Indicators
Births per 3.3
Fertility rate, total 5.1 (6.2) 4.6 (5.6) 4.0 (4.8) 3.6 (3.9)
woman (3.4)
Births Attended by
% 46 61
Skilled Staff
Modeled
Maternal Mortality estimate, per 84
ratio 100,000 live (162)
births
Mortality Rate, per 1,000
118 76 (58) 56 40
infant live births
Life Expectancy at
Years 64 (66)
Birth, female
Life Expectancy at
Years 61 (63)
Birth, male
School enrollment,
(% of net) 76 (74) 87(82)
primary, female
School enrollment,
(% of net) 91 (88) 92 (86)
primary, male
34
Ratio of girls
to boys in
Primary and
primary and 63.8 71.9 78.1 76.9 93.8
Secondary School
secondary (66.3) (72.5) (78.6) (80.5) (95.2)
Enrollment, parity
education
(%)
Female
Tertiary School enrollment/
0.5 (0.5) 0.5 (0.5) 0.6 (0.6) 0.7 (0.7) .. (..)
Enrollment, parity male
enrollment
% of females
Literacy rate, adult
ages 15 and 25 (27) 29 (34) 34 (40) 39 (47) (58)
female
above
% of males
Literacy rate, adult
ages 15 and 54 (59) 57 (65) 60 (71) 64 (75) (81)
male
above
Youth Illiteracy, % ages 15- 61.5 54.7 49.0 43.1 37.4

Female 24 (54.8) (46.7) (39.4) (32.4) (26.4)
35
PART F
INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEW
GUIDELINES
37
SECTION I
Guidelines for Semi-structured Interviews
PURPOSE:
Interviews are an important part of the analytical process. The researcher should
interview multiple types and sources of informants to gain a holistic understanding of
the environmental and supply-related issues facing SMES. Obtaining information from
multiple sources is necessary to avoid bias and allow triangulation of data.
The interview guides in the following section are intended for semi-structured interviews
with primary informants. The guides offer a general framework for the topics and question
sets do be discussed in each type of interview. The interviewer should be able to adjust
the number and sequence of questions based on the natural flow of the conversation and
assess whether adjustments to the question set, such as the addition of more detailed
questions, are required to capture country specific and contextual issues for their country
of research.
INTERVIEW TYPES:
Macro Environment Interviews Supply Interviews
• Business Associations
Specialists
• Legal
• Economic / Labor
Associations • Women’s Associations
Interviews
• Gender Interviews • Sector Based Associations
Non-Financial Service
Institutions
• IFC Country Officer • Banks with Lending to SMEs

Donor • World Bank Country Officer Financial • Microfinance Institutions (with
• PEP-MENA Country Co-coordinator Service Female Clients)
Interviews • ILO Representative
Institutions
• Venture Finance*
• Private Sector Development • Other Financial Service Providers
Donors Interviews (Leasing Companies, etc)
• Gender Development Donors • Guarantee Facility
• International NGOs for

Government & • SME Development Agenciesexample: NGO example Catholic Relief
Social Fund for Development
Quasi-Government • Woman Councils of Representative Interviews Services, Save the
Children, CARE
Operations / Service structures example: National Council for Non-Financial Service • Local Agencies & NGOs
Delivery Interviews Women Institutions
Private Sector ß Consultants

ß Consulting
Government: • Ministry of Labor / Employment Business firms
• Ministry of Industry, Trade and
Policy & Regulatory Entrepreneurship Service ß Management
Agencies Interviews • Ministry of Investment / Economy
• Ministry of Finance (if applicable to SMEs)
Providers trainers
• Ministry of Woman Affairs (where exists)
• Ministry of Social Affairs
38
SECTION II
Detailed Interview Guides
List if Interview Guides
1 Business Association
2 Financial Institution
3 Gender Specialist
4 International Donor
5 Legal Specialist
6 Private sector non-financial service provider/s
7 Non Governmental Organization

Government & Quasi-Government: Operation / Service
8
Delivery Agency
9 Government: Policy / Regulatory Agency
Country World Bank and IFC Investments
10
representatives
39
Interview Guide – Business Association
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Name of Institution
Year Established
Organizational Profile:
1. Mission of organization:
2. Governance Structure:
Number of board members
Board Member Range of Expertise
Range of Educational Attainment
Gender (women versus men board

members)
Are products and services offered to

YES NO
non-members of the association?
3. How does your organisation define SME ? :
40
4. Breakdown of products and services offered (eg. training, consulting, conferences etc):
No. of Participants
Type Quantity / year Duration
/ session
Profile of Members :
5. What is a typical profile of one of your members? (Size, age of business, number of
employees and sector of activity)
6. What do members say they benefit most from being a member?
7. Membership categories and fees charged (Please list):
41
8. Your main membership challenges (Please list):
Products and Services:

9. What products and services offered are the most popular? Why or why not?
10. For what products and services offered are clients willing to pay? Why or why not?
11. What is needed to improve the products and services offered by your organization?
12. What other organizations do you consider your competition?
42
Gender:
13. In your opinion, what are the biggest constraints for SMEs in this country?
14. In your opinion, what are the biggest constraints for female owned and operated
SMEs?
15. Are women successful in entrepreneurship? Which sectors? Why or why not?
16. How does your organization decide what services to provide to women entrepreneurs?
Should these by any different from the one offered to men? If yes, how and why?
43
17. In which other areas does your association want to grow?
18. In which areas does your association need the most support?
19. If you were the IFC looking at TA to the SME sector targeting women, what would you
do - or what is the most important gap still not addressed by other donors?
Financial Status of Business Association:
20. Sources of income

SME Focused Women Focused
Income Source
(% of Total Income) (% of Total Income)
Grants
Membership fees
Service fees
Other
44
21. What is your annual operating cost?
Total Expenses
Annual operating costs
Other expenses
22. Anything else to add?
45
Interview Guide – Financial Institution
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Name of Institution
Year Established
Institutional Profile:
1. Mission of organization:
2. Governance Structure:
Number of board members

Board Member Range of
Expertise
Range of Educational Attainment
Gender (women versus men
board members)
3. General Information (in country only):

Head office location
Number of branches
Location of branches
Total number of employees
Number of female employees
Total number of credit officers
Total number of female credit officers
46
4. How does your institution define SMEs?
Portfolio Data:
5. Request copy of their portfolio data which includes number of loan outstanding, active
clients, repayment rate, etc.
6. If this is not available, use table below to ask about portfolio. Input data into Excel
worksheet.
47
Appropriate Formula Overall Portfolio Female Clients
Average savings
balance
Outstanding
loan portfolio
Number of
active borrowers
Average loan
size
On-time Current due this month/

repayment rate current paid this month
Principal outstanding
balance of loans
Portfolio at risk
in arrears / total
outstanding portfolio
Number of active
Caseload per
borrowers/ Number of
credit officer
loan officers
Value of loans written

Write off ratio off / average gross loan
portfolio
Operating revenue
Operational self / Loan loss provision
sufficiency expense + operating
expenses
48
Product Data / Credit:
7. Input data into “Financial Institutions” Excel worksheet.
Maximum loan size
Minimum loan size
Average loan term
Grace period
Effective annual interest rate
Repayment frequency
Guarantees required
Client Profile:
8. What is a typical profile of your SME borrowers? (Size, age of business, number of
General:
9. Do you offer any non-financial services? If so, please identify what type and explain
why these are offered.
10. In your opinion, are there any differences between women owned and male owned
enterprises? If yes what are these?
49
11. In your opinion, what are the main challenges faced female-owned SMEs? Are these
any different from the challenges faced by SMEs in general? If yes, how?
12. In your opinion, what are the main challenges faced by your bank’s lending to Female
clients?
13. Additional information, leads and references:
50
Interview Guide – Gender Specialist
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Affiliation
Labor Force Participation:

1. What are the biggest constraints to women’s participation in the labor market?
2. What are the main reasons for women’s higher / lower unemployment rate?
3. How do skills and education typically affect women’s labor participation in this
country?
4. Do women participate freely in the labor market? Why ?
51
5. How are successful women business owners perceived in this society in general?
Does this perception differ according to the genders. If yes- how?
6. What are the biggest constraints for women business owners?
Government Policies and Regulatory Environment:

7. What are the main government policies that affect women’s entrepreneurship and
labor participation?
8. How do these policies affect women’s entrepreneurship and labor participation?
52
9. What are the biggest legal constraints for women-owned enterprises?
Social and Economic Constraints / Opportunities:

10. What there any big social / cultural constraints that women-owner operators face? If
yes what?
11. Are there any economic constraints that exist for women-owned enterprises? If yes,
what?
12. Are there any constraints that religion puts on women entrepreneurship? If yes,
how?
53
13. Are there age related constraints for women entrepreneurs?
14. In which private sector fields have women been most successful? Are they employers
or employees in these fields? Why and why not?
Access to Information and Resources:

15. How do most women obtain information about starting a business?
16. What organizations or programs actively support women’s entrepreneurship? How?
54
17. What organizations or programs actively support unemployed women in skills
development and vocational training?
18. Do you have recommendations for studies, reports or other information sources on
women’s labor participation and entrepreneurship?
19. What are your comments on gender relations- do women specific programs affect the
relations between men and women in a society? If yes- how ?
20. Are there ways in which donor programs can be designed to improve gender
relations?
20. Any more comments?
55
Interview Guide – International Donor
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Name of Institution
Working in country since (year)
Please define fiscal year:
Please define your currency:
21. Main objectives / priorities in areas of entrepreneurship (micro, small, and medium
enterprise development):
22. How does your organisation describe SME?
56
23. What are the total allocated funds to date for projects related to entrepreneurship?
24. What are the total allocated funds to date for projects related to gender?
Projects:
25. What are your active projects with a focus on gender and entrepreneurship
combined?
26. What are your planned projects in the areas of gender and entrepreneurship?
57
27. From your past project or research experience, what do you perceive are the main
obstacles to women’s entrepreneurship in the country?
28. From your past project or research experience, what do you perceive are the main
obstacles for women owner operators in growing their enterprises?
29. Based on your knowledge of the market and what other donors and government
agencies are engaged in, where do you still see gaps in the market with regard to
improving women’s involvement in SME versus micro and survival activities? Related
to policy, related to supply of services (financial and non-financial)?
58
30. If you were the IFC looking at Technical Assistance (TA) to the SME sector targeting
growth orientated woman owned and operated enterprises, what would you do?
What is the most important gap still not addressed by other donors?
31. Do you have any project documents, research or other materials that you can
share on the issues of gender and entrepreneurship or mainstreaming woman
entrepreneurship activities?
32. What are your comments on gender relations- do women specific programs affect the
relations between men and women in a society? How? :
32. Any more comments?
59
Interview Guide – Legal Specialist
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Affiliation

1. What are the biggest legal constraints to women’s participation in the labor market?
2. Are there specific legal constraints for business ownership by women? Please
explain.
3. Is there practice that is not in the legal statutes that constrain business women? If
yes, what is it and why does the practice exist and persist?
60
Government Policy and Regulatory Environment:
4. What are the main government policies that affect women’s entrepreneurship and
labor participation?
6. Are there specific requirements related to business registration that may be difficult
for women in this country? Is this any different from men? Why?
7. Are there different registration and licensing requirements for different sectors? What
are these?
61
8. What are the legal consequences of not meeting registration requirements? Do they
differ based on gender?
Legal Rights & the Courts:

9. What are the most common law suits related to women and employment?
10. Do women face specific disadvantages or advantages that may discourage or

encourage them to invoke their legal rights?
11. What are the main constraints regarding women’s access to courts?
62
12. Are there particular court rulings related to women’s employment and entrepreneurship
that have influenced or affected women’s status and participation in the labor force?
13. Do courts hear cases involving informal employment? How does participation in
informal employment limit legal rights?
14. How do inheritance laws affect women’s business ownership?
15. How do the personal status laws impact women’s labor force and self employment
opportunities?
63
16. What organizations or programs are active that support legal rights related to
employment and entrepreneurship?
17. What top 3 regulatory or licensing requirements which if removed would enable more
women to own, manage and grow their enterprises better?
18. Any other comments?
64
Interview Guide – Non Governmental Organization
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Name of Institution
Year Established
1. Mission of organization?
2. Total annual operating budget?
3. Main products and services offered to SMEs (Please list):
4. Main products and services offered regarding gender and employment (Please list):
65
5. What is your geographic coverage? Are these programs nation-wide?
6. How do participants typically learn / hear about your organization’s services?
Profile of Program Participants (SME focused only):

7. How does your organization select or target participants?
8. What is a typical profile of a participating SME? (Size, age of business, number of

66
Cost Recovery of Products / Services:
Income Source
Grants
Membership fees
Service fees
Other

Expenses
Operating costs
Other expenses

12. What is needed to improve the products and services offered by your organization?
67
Gender:
SMEs exclusively or more severely?
15. In which sectors / fields have women been most successful? Why or why not?
16. How does your organization select service areas for women entrepreneurs?
17. Does your program promote the growth of woman owned enterprises? How?
68
18. What are your organization’s future plans for programs? Will any of these target
growth orientated women entrepreneurs?
69
Interview Guide – Private Sector
Business Service Provider
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Name of Institution
Year Established
Company Profile:
22. What does your company do? What services do you provide?
23. Describe your customer base? Who are your customers and where are where are
they based (local, regional and international)?
24. Who owns the company?

Number of owners?
Gender of owners?
25. What percent of your staff is female?
70
26. Is your company a small, medium, or large business?
Profile of Clients
27. Does your company serve SME clients? Why?
28. Is there a need to target women-owned SMEs? Why?
29. What percent of your clients are SME clients? (skip if answer to the answer to question
6 is no)
30. What percent of your clients are women?
71
31. How do the needs of SME clients differ from those of bigger clients? (If the company
does not have SME clients ask this as a hypothetical question)
32. Do the needs of male clients differ from female clients? Why do you say so?

33. Should services be priced any differently for SMEs? And should they be priced
differently for women? Why?
34. Do you think the idea of a sliding scale pricing structure whereby SMEs pay less for
your business services would work? And one for women? (Please explain)
35. Are there any challenges in reaching and serving women clients? Why?
72
36. Would you like to have more women clients? If yes, what measures would you take
to achieve this?
37. What training needs do you as a consulting firm or as a consultant have? Which of
these would help you consult more effectively to women-owned businesses?
38. In your opinion what are the biggest constraints for female owned and operated
SMEs?
39. Are women successful in entrepreneurship? Which sectors? Why or why not?
73
40. If you were the IFC looking at TA to the SME sector targeting women, what would you
do to improve the interaction between consultants with relevant expertise and the
SMEs, in particular female owned SMEs who needed the services?
41. What is the most important gap in the market with regards to providing women
entrepreneurs with business services? Why is this not addressed by other business
service providers?
42. Any other comments or suggestions?
74
Interview Guide – Government & Quasi-Government:
Operation / Service Delivery Agency
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Name of Agency /
Department
Year Established
1. Mission of agency / department?
2. Total annual operating budget?
3. General Information:
Number of female employees
Number of employees engaged

in SME
Number of employees engaged
on women & gender
75
4. How does your organization define SMEs?
5. Main products and services offered to SMEs (Please list):
6. Main products and services offered regarding gender and employment (Please list):
7. What is your geographic coverage? Are these programs nation-wide?
8. How do participants typically learn / hear about your organization’s services?
76
Gender:
SMEs?
13. Does your agency have policies or procedures that target these constraints?
77
15. Does your program promote the growth of woman owned enterprises? If yes, how
and why?
Profile of Program Participants (SME focused only):

16. How does your organization select or target participants?
17. What is a typical profile of a participating SME? (Size, age of business, number of
78
Cost Recovery of Products / Services:
Income Source
Grants
Membership fees
Service fees
Other

Total Expenses
Annual operating costs
Other expenses

21. What is needed to improve the products and services offered by your agency?
79
22. How do most women obtain information about starting or growing a business?
23. Does your agency have partnerships with organizations or programs that actively
support women’s entrepreneurship? Which ones? What are the partner roles?
24. Does your agency have partnerships with organizations or programs that actively
support unemployed women in skills development and vocational training? Which
ones?
80
Interview Guide – Government: Policy / Regulatory
Agency
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Name of Agency / Department
Year Established
1. Mission of agency / department?
2. Main regulations / procedures that impact SMEs?

81
5. What are the biggest constraints for women business owners?
Regulatory Environment:
6. What are the main policies that affect women’s entrepreneurship and labor
participation?
82
8. Are there specific legal or regulatory constraints for business ownership by women?
Please explain.
9. Are there specific requirements related to business registration that may be difficult
for women in this country?
10. What are the consequences of not meeting registration requirements? Do they differ
based on gender?
11. Do your agencies policies vary based on different personal status laws that apply to
women of different religions? If so, how do these laws affect women’s employment
and entrepreneurship?
83
Social and Economic Constraints / Opportunities:
12. What are the biggest social / cultural constraints that exist for women-owned
enterprises?
13. What are the biggest economic constraints that exist for women-owned enterprises?
14. Does your agency have policies or procedures that target these constraints?

16. How do most women obtain information about starting or growing a business?
84
17. What organizations or programs actively support the growth of women owned and
operated enterprises?
18. What organizations or programs actively support unemployed women in skills

development and vocational training?
85
Interview Guide – World Bank / IFC
Date of Interview
Name of Interviewer
Name of Interviewee
Name of Agency / Department
1. How does your unit promote sustainable private sector development in this country?
What about women’s participation in mainstream activities? If nothing is being

done currently what is planned? What is possible with some help from the GEM
program?
2. What is the country’s growth and development strategy and give examples of how
your unit’s activities has supported this:
86
Does woman participation feature in the country’s growth strategy? If yes how?
And if not – should it and why?
What Group programs and resources that focus on mainstreaming women’s

economic activity do you know of? Who can we contact to find out more?
3. What is your advice to IFC PEP-MENA in providing technical assistance that will
promote the growth of woman owned and operated SMEs (versus micro) and their
participation in private sector development.
87
What are the main challenges that PEP-MENA will face and how can these be
overcome?
Any other comments or suggestions?

Private Sector Business Service Providers
• Consultants
• Consulting firms
• Management trainers
• Technical experts
88
PART G
FOCUS GROUP GUIDELINES
89
SECTION I
General Focus Group Guidelines
91
General Focus Group Guidelines
PURPOSE:
Focus groups are an effective method of obtaining primary information from a large
number of respondents in a relatively short period of time.
Different focus groups should be held with male and female entrepreneurs in order
to assess differences between the two groups that may result from gender bias. It is
assumed that the circumstances faced by the male entrepreneurs are the norm; thus
these focus groups act as a control group in the study.
This guide outlines the main steps required to organize and conduct both male and
female focus groups. Each section outlines several main questions and a set of “probing”
questions to be asked in case the discussion does not immediately ensue from the
primary questions.
CATEGORIES OF PARTICIPANTS:
Category Definition Best Source of Contact
Business less than 2 years Financial institution and/or

1 Start-up business
old business association
Business older than 2 Financial institution and/or
2 Existing business
years business association
Participants of NGO,
Employed or unemployed
Potential donor and/or government
3 individuals seeking to start
entrepreneurs enterprise development
a business
programs
SAMPLING:
A- Selecting focus groups:
• This should be based on the areas of the country with high concentration of female
entrepreneurship. Because the PEP-MENA program is focused on promoting the
growth of woman owned and operated enterprises; female owned and existing
entrepreneurs should make up the majority of the sample. Start up employees
should be included to determine barriers to entry. Potential entrepreneurs should be
avoided.
• There are a couple of different ways to find the right participants:
1. Review statistics and identify towns / governorates with high number of registered
women-owned businesses. This is relevant when there is this level of statistics
easily available in the country.
2. Identify areas where there are multiple women’s business associations or where
there is a large membership base of women in a general / industry specific business
association.
3. Identify areas where there are active NGO, donor or government enterprise
development programs targeting growth orientated women entrepreneurs.
92
Growth orientated women entrepreneurs are considered to be those who:
• Own existing businesses with viable business models
• Own enterprises that have either increased or stabilized sales, jobs created and/ or
profit over the previous 5 years
• Articulate or have documented growth or expansion aspirations
This information can be gleaned from interviews with the service providers and enterprise
development programs interviewed. It should be used to select which databases to target
for inclusion in the focus groups.
B - Number of focus groups to be organized:

• A minimum of 2 focus groups should be held in each of the selected sites. It is
recommended that 12 focus group interviews be conducted overall- or until clear
patterns start emerging - which ever comes first.
• Approximately two-thirds of the focus groups should be held with female participants.
The remaining one-third should be held with male participants. The male focus groups
act as a control group, as it is assumed that the experience of male entrepreneurs
is more typical than that of female entrepreneurs. Comparison of male and female
responses will point towards possible issues.
PARTICIPANT SELECTION:
Participants should be the entrepreneurs / business owners. Staff, including assistants
and managers, should not attend as the primary focus is on the constraints facing
entrepreneurs at various stages in their experience. Selected participants should not
send a representative in their place, as it is important to obtain primary information
directly from the entrepreneur.
There are several channels for identifying focus group participants:
1. Clients of financial institutions who currently receive financing to operate a small or
medium business.
2. Clients of private sector business service providers like trainers, consultants etc.
3. Clients/members of business associations who currently receive services from the
business association.
4. Clients/beneficiaries of NGOs who currently benefit from a gender related program
aimed at improving capacity for entrepreneurship, but who do not yet have a
business. This group is considered the best proxy for “aspiring entrepreneur.”
It is important to provide a typical profile of the target entrepreneurs to the organizations
that are assisting in identifying focus group participants. This profile will vary from country
to country based on the characteristics of the local market and definition of small and
medium enterprises in that country. Common characteristics used to define SMEs include
number of employees, total annual revenue, and capital1.
1
Capital is commonly used throughout Middle East though it is not the most appropriate indicator as it varies greatly between sectors
and types of industry
93
For example, the preferred profile for an SME focus group participant in
Egypt is:
• Existing or potential business owner / entrepreneur
• Business with at least two paid non-family employees (preferably more)
• Not a home-based business
• Business with potential to grow
The local definition of an SME may be significantly different than the IFC or best practice
definition. A consensus on a local definition may also not exist, as in the case of Egypt
where the definition is inconsistent across various government agencies and micro and
small are freely interchanged. It is important to clearly differentiate between a micro and
small business. In order to do so, the researcher should have a clear understanding of
the most commonly used definitions and characteristics used to define SMEs prior to
profiling focus group participants.
It is important to pre-survey the physical space to assess layout and amenities. The
space should accommodate at least 10 individuals and should provide U- shaped or
round table seating arrangements. Circular seating arrangements often encourage
interaction and create a greater sense of inclusion. Lecture style seating is not ideal as
it inhibits participation. The space should allow room for group activities that may require
limited movement / reseating. Acoustical and visual privacy should also be provided.
Refreshment should be provided preferably as a buffet or station so that participants can
help themselves during the interview.
ORGANIZATION OF THE FOCUS GROUP:

The focus group interviews must be conducted by an experienced moderator of
the appropriate gender for the setting and cultural context.
A- Duration
Approximately 2 to 3 hours should be scheduled for each focus group meeting.
B - Invitation to participants
As many participants may not arrive even after agreeing to the research, approximately
10 to 12 should be invited for each focus group organized. Ideally, the supporting
organization should contact its members/clients after it is provided with detailed guidelines
on the categories and profiles of potential participants. Should the organization not be
able to do this, then they should be requested to provide a list of their members/clients
with contact details. Note that it often takes several days to organize one focus group.
See Appendix I for sample invitation letter (in English and Arabic).
C- Quality of participants
Groups with similar characteristics (within the same category) should be invited for
the same focus group. For example, the category of “start-up businesses” should be
organized in the same session. At least 2 focus groups should be held for each category
of participants.
94
D- Ways to motivate participation
Participants may be hesitant to agree to be part of a focus group for several reasons
ranging from time constraints to fear of repercussion. A direct call from the organization
that the business has a relationship with is usually the most effective method of
persuasion. Invitations to participate should mention the IFC and give a brief background
on the organisation.
The researcher should work with the organization that is helping to invite the focus group
participants to explain the incentives and potential positive impacts of participation. For
example, participants may be given access to the focus group findings through their
respective business association / organization. The focus group is also an opportunity for
entrepreneurs to network with other business owners in similar sectors.
SME owners are typically not responsive to nominal payments and gratuities and may be
offended if one is offered. The decision to pay participants a transportation allowance or
other gratuities should be based on the local social norm and protocol. The researcher
should consider paying the business association / NGO a nominal amount if the
association’s resources or facilities are extensively used for the RSVP process.
DOCUMENTATION
Focus group proceedings should be documented using multiple methods for future
reference:
• Notes
• Recording
• Photograph (this may be inappropriate in some cultural contexts- it is advisable to
check)
Entrepreneurs should fill out a simple registration form to identify basic profile information.
This will help in the analysis of the focus group results.
MATERIALS NEEDED FOR THE FOCUS GROUP:

• Entrepreneur registration form. See Appendix II (in English and Arabic).
• Entrepreneur attendance and contact detail register
• Cards with key words written in local language for each of the activities.
• Writing paper for note taker or laptop computer for direct entry.
• Snacks and drinks for participants.
• Recorder and blank tape for recording of the session.
95
SECTION II
Focus Group Guide – Female
Entrepreneurs
97
Focus Group Guide – Female Entrepreneurs
PURPOSE:
To obtain primary information from female small enterprise entrepreneurs regarding their
businesses and labor force participation.
PREPARATIONS FOR FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION:

• Identify appropriate locations that can accommodate between 6 to 12 participants.
• Have each participant fill out a basic form.
• Identify a note taker who will take notes during the focus group.
• Prepare recorder to tape the conversation.
• Prepare cards for the relevant activities.
• Have drinks and snacks for participants (or other culturally appropriate items for a
“snack”. No meals should be served.)
QUESTION GUIDE:
Each section has several main questions and a set of “probing” questions in case the
discussion does not immediately ensue from the primary questions.
Starting the Business:

1. Why did you decide to start a business?
• What factors influenced this decision?
• What economic considerations were behind this decision? (Why did you start the
business in terms of your life, household, etc?
• What social considerations were behind this decision?
2. What kind of background do you believe is necessary for a woman to be
successful in business?
• Why kinds of education requirements (please give examples)?
• What kinds of requirements regarding social status, age or other (please specify)?
3. What role did your husband / father or other male relatives have in your decision
to start your business?
4. What are some constraints for women to managing a business?
• Are there specific social norms that are only applied to women that make starting,
owning and managing a business difficult?
5. Did you have to register your business and if so, how was the registration
process?
• Did you receive assistance in registering the business and if so, what kind and from
whom?
6. What are the legal conditions in this country that make it difficult for women to
manage a business?
• Are there specific legal requirements that are only applied to women that make
starting, owning and managing a business difficult?
7. How have you overcome some of these social or legal constraints?
98
8. What skills / qualifications do you think you need or that would be helpful be as
a business owner?
9. Are there differences between male and female business owners?
Running the Business:

1. What are the biggest constraints you face in running your business?
• Do you have constraints which pertain to financing, please explain?
• Do you have constraints which pertain to legal requirements, please explain?
• Do you have constraints which pertain to social requirements, please explain?
2. GROUP ACTIVITY 1 (OPTIONAL – depending on number of participants and
participation level):
Have a set of cards each with the following words on them and ask the women to
decide among themselves which are the top three constraints. (Make sure to ask
why)
• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Sales and marketing
• Management
• Personnel and human resources
• Production and quality control
• Other (to be filled in by moderator based on results of Question 1)
3. Do you think businesses like yours should be taxed? Why or why not?
• Do you currently pay taxes? If so, how much, based on what? How does it impact
your business?
• If you did pay taxes, what would be a reasonable percentage that you would be
willing to pay on your profits?
4. What do you think of the government’s support to SMEs?
• Are there things that should be done that are not being done? Please provide
details.
• How should the government change its support to SMEs?
Financing Your Business:
1. What resources did you use to start your business?
• Did you use savings to start your business?
• Did you borrow funds from your family or friends to start the business?
• Did you borrow money from a formal financial institution to start your business?
2. From which sources do you borrow to finance the running costs of your
business?
• Do you borrow from a bank?
• Do you borrow from a microfinance institution?
• Do you borrow from a moneylender?
• Do you borrow from family/friends?
3. What are some of the constraints you have faced in acquiring financing for
your business?
99
Among yourselves, place in order of most difficult the conditions and procedures
that formal financial institutions require that are the most difficult to meet?
• Guarantor requirement
• Savings requirement
• Years of business operations
• Educational requirements
• Fees and interest rates
• Forms and procedures
Non- Financial Support Structures:

1. Are any of you members of business associations? Why or why not?
2. What do you think of the services that these associations offer?
• How do you think these services can be improved?
3. In your opinion, what is the best program or organization that currently exists
in this country that offers non-financial business services to women? Please
explain why?
Among yourselves, please prioritize the type of non-financial services that you would
most likely pay to use?
• Training courses
• Consulting services
• Assistance in accessing finance
• Guarantee to financial institution
Among yourselves, please prioritize the type of non-financial services that you
would most likely use if it were free?
• Training
Future Plans:
1. Do you want to grow your business? Why or why not?
2. What do you need in order to grow your business?
3. Have you identified new opportunities (such as exporting to foreign markets) that you
want to pursue? What type of support do you need in order to do so?
4. If you are the IFC what would you do to support SMEs?
100
SECTION III
Focus Group Guide – Male
Entrepreneurs
101
Focus Group Guide – Male Entrepreneurs
PURPOSE:
To obtain primary information from male small enterprise entrepreneurs regarding their
businesses and labor force participation.
PREPARATIONS FOR FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION:

• Identify appropriate locations that can accommodate between 6 to 8 participants.
• Have each participant fill out a basic form.
• Identify a note taker who will take notes during the focus group.
• Prepare recorder to tape the conversation.
• Prepare cards for the relevant activities.
• Have drinks and snacks for participants (or other culturally appropriate items for a
“snack”. No meals should be served.)
QUESTION GUIDE:
Each section has several main questions and a set of “probing” questions in case the
discussion does not immediately ensue from the primary questions.
Starting the Business:

10.Why did you decide to start a business?
• What factors influenced this decision?
• What economic considerations were behind this decision? (Why did you start the
business in terms of your life, household, etc?
• What social considerations were behind this decision?
11. What kind of background do you believe is necessary to be successful in
business?
• What kinds of education requirements (please give examples)?
• What kinds of requirements regarding social status, age or other requirements
(please specify)?
12.What role did your wife or other female relatives have in your decision to start
your business?
13.What are the social conditions in this country that make it difficult for you to
manage a business?
14.Did you have to register your business and if so, how was the registration
process?
• Did you receive assistance in registering the business and if so, what kind and from
whom?
15.What are the legal conditions in this country that make it difficult to manage a
business?
16.How have you overcome some of these social or legal constraints?
Running the Business:

1. What are the biggest constraints you face in running your business?
102
• Do you have constraints which pertain to financing, please explain?
• Do you have constraints which pertain to legal requirements, please explain?
• Do you have constraints which pertain to social requirements, please explain?
Have a set of cards each with the following words on them and ask the men to
decide among themselves which are the top three constraints. (Ask why)
• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Sales and marketing
• Management
• Personnel and human resources
• Production and quality control
• Other (to be filled in by moderator based on results of Question 1)
3. Do you think businesses like yours should be taxed? Why or why not?
• Do you currently pay taxes? If so, how much, based on what? How does it impact
your business?
• If you did pay taxes, what would be a reasonable percentage that you would be
willing to pay on your profits?
4. What do you think of the government’s support to SMEs?
• Are there things that should be done that are not being done? Please provide
details.
• How should the government change its support to SMEs?
Financing Your Business:

1. What resources did you use to start your business?
• Did you use savings to start your business?
• Did you borrow funds from your family or friends to start the business?
• Did you borrow money from a formal financial institution to start your business?
2. From which sources do you borrow to finance the running costs of your
business?
• Do you borrow from a bank?
• Do you borrow from a microfinance institution?
• Do you borrow from a moneylender?
• Do you borrow from family/friends?
3. What are some of the constraints you have faced in acquiring financing for
your business?
Among yourselves, place in order of most difficult the conditions and
procedures that formal financial institutions require that are the most difficult
to meet?
• Guarantor requirement
• Savings requirement
103
• Years of business operations
• Educational requirements
• Fees and interest rates
• Forms and procedures
Non-Financial Support Structures:

1. Are any of you members of business associations? Why or why not?
2. What do you think of the services that these associations offer?
• How do you think these services can be improved?
3. In your opinion, what is the best program or organization that currently exists
in this country that offers non-financial business services to SMEs? Please
explain why?
would most likely pay to use?
• Training courses
would most likely use if it were free?
• Training
Future Plans:
1. Do you want to grow your business? Why or why not?
2. What do you need in order to grow your business?
3. Have you identified new opportunities (such as exporting to foreign markets) that you
want to pursue? What type of support do you need in order to do so?
4. If you are the IFC what would you do to support SMEs?
104
APPENDIX I
Sample Invitation Letter
English & Arabic
105
>>Letterhead of Inviting Organisation>>
Dear Sir,
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is conducting a study of women-owned
small and medium sized businesses in <<country>> with a view to identifying market
gaps and failures that constrain the growth of woman owned enterprises. The results of
this study will be used to design solutions and bring attention to the potential role women
may play in mainstream economic activities.
The IFC intends to conduct focus groups with female and male entrepreneurs separately
as part of the research effort. I would like to request your assistance in selecting
participants, from your clients/ member, for two focus groups. We will require ten (10)
participants for each focus group.
The focus groups will be conducted on << date and time>> at << venue>>.
Thank you for your cooperation. I look forward to discussing this matter further with
you.
Best regards,
IFC PEP-MENA GEM Program Manager
��

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IFC GEM Program Manager
106
APPENDIX II
Entrepreneur Registration Form
Focus Group
English & Arabic
107
Attendance Register
E-mail fax no
Name and Company address (optional if e-
Telephone
surname Name (clearly mail address
written) provided)
108
Entrepreneur Registration Form
Focus Group
Date: ...................................................................
Location: .............................................................
Name (voluntary): ...............................................

Date of Birth: ...................................................... Age:................................
Education: Please indicate the last level completed

Primary ® Middle school ® High School ® Vocational training ® College ®
Marital Status:
Single ® Married ® Widowed ® Divorced ®
Business address (voluntary): .....................................................
Years in operation:.......................................................................
Ownership Structure:
Sole proprietorship ® Partnership ® Corporation ®
Type of Business:
Mfg/ Production ® Retail / Trade ® Services ® Ag/ Ag processing ® Other ®
Number of Employees:
Paid full-time Paid part-time Unpaid family or friends Occasional or seasonal
Thank you for your participation in this research.
109
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W‫ار‬u(‫ ا‬WuL*‫ا‬
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110
APPENDIX III
Sample Thank You Letter
111
Date
<<Letterhead of Inviting Organisation>>
Dear Sir:
I am writing to express our sincere gratitude to you, and to Mr. Ashraf Adhem for your
recent help in organizing focus groups for IFC’s Gender Entrepreneurship Markets (GEM)
Program. The GEM Program is an initiative of IFC’s Private Enterprise Partnership (PEP)
for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The objective of the GEM Program
is to determine the needs of growth-oriented women business owners in the region and
use this to design appropriate women entrepreneurship development interventions.
Attached is a list of the women and men who participated in the focus groups. We ask
that you kindly convey our deep gratitude to them for their contribution and time.
We are writing up the research findings and a report will be sent to your organization for
review.
Sincerely,
IFC PEP-MENA GEM Program Manager
Possibility for IFC Project

• Based on ability of IFC PEP-MENA to achieve impact within a 2-year time frame.
• Constraints identified are those that were most frequently sited by stakeholders.
√ Possible (but long-term)
√√ Possible (medium-term)
√√√ Possible immediate term
112
PART H
ANALYSIS TOOLS
113
Analysis Tool
CONSTRAINTS FOR SMES
Summary of Constraints as Defined by:
Government
Business Experts (Legal,
SMEs Donors / Quasi
Associations Labor, Gender)
Government
Constraints Identified by Multiple Groups
Constraints Identified by Only One Group
A- Which constraints are being addressed by existing providers?

• List
B - Which constraints are not being addressed by existing providers?
• List
SUPPLIERS / SERVICE PROVIDERS

List of Providers – Financial:
1. List government ones
2. List private sector one
List of Providers/Facilitators - Non-financial:

1. List donor and government agency ones
2. List private sector ones
List of Providers by Constraint (Note this is for organizations focusing

on women and SMEs only)
114
Constraint Current Provider / Facilitator
Summary of Provider Strength and Weaknesses:

Non - Financial Services Financial Services
Strength Weakness Strength Weakness
A- Which services providers have the potential to meet other constraints identified
in the mapping study?
Constraint Service Provider / Facilitator with Potential
B- What type of support do they require (list only ones with potential)?
Example:
Financial Institutions
• List
115
Business Associations
• List
Private Sector Non-financial services provider Firms

• List
DONOR ACTIVITY
List Major Donors on Entrepreneurship and/or Gender:
1. List
Donor Activity End Date of Activity Areas for Possible
Coordination or
Partnership
RECOMMENDATIONS
Please provide only viable recommendations.
Possibility for
Constraint Possible Intervention Possible Partner
IFC
(Note: Visual time-line tool to be developed)
116
Analysis Tool – Egypt Example
CONSTRAINTS FOR SMES
Summary of Constraints as Defined by:
Government Experts
Business
SMEs Donors / Quasi (Legal, Labor,
Associations
Government Gender)
Constraints Identified by Multiple Groups

Culture of
Culture of Culture of entrepreneurship
entrepreneurship entrepreneurship - prime role as
wife / mother
Marketing (larger
Marketing Marketing Marketing Marketing
SMEs only)
Information
Information and
generally
Information / Information / awareness of Information/
& export
knowledge knowledge needs (IT needs knowledge
information in
for example)
particular
Access to finance
Access to finance
(lower income)
Access to finance Access to finance (guarantee issue
& guarantees in
for women)
particular
Quality control Quality control

Quality control
/ standardization / standardization
and standards
of production of production
For start-ups, For start-ups,

Legal and
registration and registration and Registration
regulatory
other licensing other licensing procedures
constraints
procedures procedures
Constraints Identified by Only One Group

Technical
assistance (very Social / cultural Linkages with
specific industry constraints larger firms
TA)
Labor
Limited or
no support
to women
from Bus.
Associations
117
A- Which constraints are being addressed by existing providers?
• Some marketing support by business associations. Considered “primitive” by their
own definition. Much more is needed.
• Many financial providers; none focused on SMEs when it comes to women. Focus
on micro with female clients. Some new entrants tot he SME market - Bank du
Caire (line of credit product), NBD, CIB (special focus on women).
• “One-stop” shop for business registration in a few locations in Egypt (Mansoura and
Giza). Needs to be rolled out to other regions.
B - Which constraints are not being addressed by existing providers?
• Linkages with larger firms.
• Woman friendly “one-stop” shop (relevant hours of operations, etc) in areas where
female-owned and operated businesses are located (one stop shop located in
Mansoura, not Cairo/Giza).
• Access to information.
• Quality control and standardization of production.
• Reform of registration, licensing, taxation and other governmental regulated
procedures.
SUPPLIERS / SERVICE PROVIDERS

List of Providers – Financial:
3. Banque du Caire
4. National Bank for Development (NBD)
5. Other banks not interviewed (Bank Misr, CIB)
6. Business associations (ABA, ESED, ASBA, DBSA, Other MFIs )
7. SFD (working through banks and NGOs)
List of Providers/Facilitators - Non-financial:
1. Business Center of National Council on Women (NCW)

2. Egyptian Women’s Business Association
3. SFD
4. BDSSP (CIDA funded project)
118
List of Providers by Constraint (Note this is for organizations focusing on women
and SMEs only)
Constraint Current Provider / Facilitator
• EBWA
Culture of entrepreneurship
• NCW
• EBWA
Marketing
• NCW
• SFD
Information • NCW
• EBWA (and other business associations)
SME finance
• Bank du Caire
• CIB
Microfinance (including small)

• Bank du Caire
Access to Finance • Bank Misr
• NBD
• ABA
• ESED
• ASBA
• DBSA
• Other MFIs
Quality control
Legal and regulatory • BDSSP (CIDA)
Technical assistance GTZ
• NCW
Labor
• SFD
Social / cultural NCW
Linkages to larger firms ILO Expand Your Business & WEDGE
Capacity of business
• BDSSP (CIDA)
associations
119
Possibility for IFC Project
• Based on ability of IFC PEP-MENA to achieve impact within a 2-year time frame.
• Constraints identified are those that were most frequently sited by stakeholders.
√ Possible (but long-term)
√√ Possible (medium-term)
√√√ Possible immediate term
Summary of Provider Strength and Weaknesses:

Non - Financial Services Financial Services
Strength Weakness Strength Weakness
No focus on
women when it
Large quantity in Limited or no cost Branch networks comes to SMEs.
market recovery across country Product design
does not facilitate
their involvement.
Staff analysis
weak for cash-
Limited capacity for
Wide geographic Liquidity in banking flow lending.
training, consulting,
coverage system Mainly focused
marketing, etc.
on collateralized
lending.
Excellent portfolio
quality for MF
Not well known
clients. Trying
Some dynamic or used among
to reform SME Weak IT tools
leadership entrepreneurs / bad
portfolios. Interest
marketing
in “scaling-up” MF
to SMEs
Either high end
targeting corporate New interest in Very high default
firms or very SMEs (BdC, CIB, with corporate
socially oriented NBD, Bank Misr) clients.
(NGOs)
"Project" not client
focused.
120
A- Which services providers have the potential to meet other constraints identified
in the mapping study?
Constraint Service Provider / Facilitator with Potential
Culture of entrepreneurship Women's business associations
Information Women's business associations
Some business associations
Marketing More thorough analysis needed to identify
appropriate partners
Unclear. More thorough analysis needed to
Linkages with large firms
identify appropriate partners.
Banks
Finance
MFIs
B- What type of support do they require (only ones with potential)?
Financial Institutions
• Product design to scale up MF
• Training of staff on cash flow lending, gender sensitization
• Some IT
Business Associations
• TA to build capacity to improve services
• TA to improve outreach to women
• TA on IT related issues
Large Firms
• Incentives to hire women
• Incentives to work with small and medium firms
DONOR ACTIVITY
List Major Donors on Entrepreneurship and/or Gender:
2. USAID
3. GTZ
4. KfW
5. CIDA
6. UNDP (not a donor per se, ie no project money, but active on issues)
7. ILO (not a donor per se, ie no project money, but active on issues)
121
Areas for Possible
Donor Activity End Date of Activity Coordination or
Partnership
- Ongoing
cooperative
agreements with
MFIs - Work with partner
- Five year TA institutions to
Funds several MFIs to provide
USAID contract to work expand outreach to
SME and microfinance loans
with MFIs to begin female owned and
soon. Already operated SMEs.
provided 15 years
of support to the
sector.
Support textile / garment and - Possibility to focus
food sectors through work TA provision on
with trade specific business female owned
associations. No specific SMEs (particularly
GTZ focus on women. in textile and
Possibly to start MF program garment industry,
in 2007, but will not work with but also food
SFD. processing).
Has funded the SFD - both

SEDO which does SME and
the MF unit. This is phasing
out. Plan on supporting a MF
- 3 years, starting
guarantee fund with 1 m Euro
in 2005 for MF
TA and 4 million Euro in - No clear areas
program.
KfW guarantees. of overlap /
- Other programs are
partnership.
Also have environment credit ongoing.
line with 3 banks targeting
SMEs.
Provide support to CIB, leasing
company, and housing finance.
Funds a large BDS project with

a gender component. Works
with multiple “facilitators” and
business service providers and
focused on Alex and Minya.
- 2011 for BDS
- Ad campaigns
Gender initiative is broad project.
- Materials /
based and not only project - Broad based
publications
focused. Will do mapping gender initiative is
CIDA - Research
- focus is on creating “enabling a core program (no
- Gender
environment” for rights specific end date)
disaggregated
based activities (advocacy, - SMEPol coming to
data
legislation, removal of an end Dec. 2005.
obstacles, etc).
Also fund SMEPol, SME
policy development unit within
Ministry of Finance.
122
RECOMMENDATIONS
Please provide only viable recommendations.
Possibility
Constraint Possible Intervention Possible Partner
for IFC
- Website with - Partner with

information on business BDSSP project
registration, taxation, funded by CIDA
licensing and other to produce joint-
regulations related to materials
SMEs - Distribute
Information - √√√
- Brochures with information
information widely through business
distributed at licensing women’s
offices, business associations,
associations, other government
donor projects, etc. offices,
- Bring in experts to
provides industry
specific support
Industry specific in sectors where
- √√√
TA women are active
(agribusinesses, food
processing, textiles/
garments)
- √√ (for
- MFIs to “scale- large
- Work with banks to up” to SMEs SMEs/
adjust guarantee - Banks to modify upper
Access to finance
requirements to allow SME / MF class)
(Guarantee
female participation products - √√√ (for
requirements)
- Refine lending products - Sensitize loan SMEs
to reach women officers to gender / middle
issues or lower
class)
- Linkages with large

- Direct to SMEs
companies
or identify them
- Linkages for foreign
via business
partners
associations and
Marketing - Improved quality to - √√
NCW (selection
compete
not by Bus.
- For low-tech industries,
Association but
general marketing
by strict criteria)
issues /training
123
- Access to information
on international
standards and latest
Design trends - √√
- Mechanism to access
local demand and
product development
- One-stop shops
- CIDA projects
- Access to “facilitators”
- NCW and other
Registration and through vouchers
bus. associations - √√
licensing - Information brochures
for dissemination
through gov’t agencies,
of information
NCW, bus. associations
- Business
Associations
that are industry
- Industry specific
specific
workshops
- NCW to identify
- Experts for short-term
Quality control SMEs
TA - √√
(and packaging) - Donor funded
- Specific support to
projects working
packaging SMEs to
in specific sectors
serve broader market
(GTZ partners,
CIDA and
USAID)
- Young girls exposure to

business women / role
models
Culture of - National Council
- Training for young - √
entrepreneurship on Women
graduates
- Curriculum changes
- Ad campaigns
124
125
126
127
128

PEP MENA Gender Entrepreneurship Markets Analysis Tool (August 2005)

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PEP MENA Gender Entrepreneurship Markets Analysis Tool (August 2005)

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Gender Entrepreneurship

REALIZING HIDDEN VALUE

Part A – Introduction ............................................................................... 5

Part G – Focus Group Guidelines ........................................................ 89

Part H – Analysis Tool ........................................................................ 109

Government: • Ministry of Labor / Employment • Legal • Interview

• IFC Country Officer

• Ministry of Labor / Employment

Refine Contact List (at every step)

Quantitative • Available from PEP-MENA upon request

V. THE SME SECTOR...................................................................................

VI. THE GENDER ENTREPRENEURSHIP MARKET

VII. GAP ANALYSIS

VIII. PROGRAM RECOMMENDATIONS

Type Institution Individual Position / Title E-mail Telephone Address Website

Konrad- Abu el-Feda 35

(Country Poverty Reduction Strategy Papar (PRSP http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTPOVERTY/

(Country Assistance Strategy (CAS /http://www-wds.worldbank.org

(Investment Climate Assessment (ICA #http://iresearch.worldbank.org/ics/jsp/index.jsp

Doing Business Report /http://rru.worldbank.org/DoingBusiness

World Bank Education Statistics /http://www1.worldbank.org/education/edstats

World Bank Gender Statistics http://genderstats.worldbank.org/home.asp

(Labor & Employment Data (by Sector http://www.worldbank.org/data/wdi2004/pdfs/Table2_3.pdf

Ministry of Woman Affairs publications

Woman Councils Reports http://www.ncw.gov.eg/new-ncw/arabic/rese_com.jsp

Ministry of Finance / SMEs /http://www.sme.gov.eg

Social Fund for Development /http://www.sfdegypt.org

(National Action Plans and Strategy (for women http://www.un.org/esa/gopher-data/conf/fwcw/natrep/NatActPlans/egypt.txt

Donor Agencies Reports

Women in Labor / Employment Surveys

SME Maps and Reviews http://www.netandshare.org/smes_egypt.htm

Gender Disagregatted Sector Based Analysis

(Progress of Worlds Women Report (UNIFEM http://www.unifem.org/index

Arab Human Development Report

UN Statistics Division /http://unstats.un.org/unsd

(UN Industrial Developmet Organization (UNIDO http://www.unido.org

Economic Reports & Bulletins

Arab Gateway Economic summaries http://www.al-bab.com/arab/econ/economy.htm

Economics Intelligence Unit Country Profiles /http://db.eiu.com

(U.S. Census Bureau International Data Base (IDB http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/idbnew.html

Woman in the Private Sector

Microfinance Gateway /http://www.microfinancegateway.org

Indicator Unit 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Current US$ 22.9 34.7 43.1 60.1 99.4

Indicator Unit 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000

Youth Illiteracy, % ages 15- 61.5 54.7 49.0 43.1 37.4

• IFC Country Officer • Banks with Lending to SMEs

• International NGOs for

Private Sector ß Consultants

6 Private sector non-financial service provider/s

7 Non Governmental Organization

Board Member Range of Expertise

Range of Educational Attainment

Gender (women versus men board

Are products and services offered to

3. How does your organisation define SME ? :

6. What do members say they benefit most from being a member?

7. Membership categories and fees charged (Please list):

Products and Services:

12. What other organizations do you consider your competition?

Financial Status of Business Association:

20. Sources of income

22. Anything else to add?

Number of board members

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