Damascus Countryside Chamber of Industry and Aga Khan Foundation Discuss Blended Finance Model to Support Small Enterprises
Damascus Countryside Chamber of Industry and "Aga Khan" Foundation Discuss "Blended Finance" Model to Support Small Enterprises
The Damascus Countryside Chamber of Industry hosted an important meeting bringing together the Chairman of the Chamber, Engineer Mohammad Ayman al-Mawlawi, several board members, and representatives of the "Aga Khan Foundation Syria." The meeting aimed to discuss strategic programs based on databases and classifications of industries in need of support.
The meeting reviewed the programs of the Aga Khan Foundation, particularly the "Work and Enterprises" program, which focuses on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and developing employable skills to achieve self-employment and secure sustainable job opportunities. The transition towards a "blended finance" model—rather than relying solely on basic grants—was also discussed. This model includes providing a portion as a grant and another portion as co-financing or a soft loan to ensure the sustainability and expansion of projects.
During the meeting, the importance of utilizing the Chamber of Industry's databases and project classifications across various regions was emphasized, ensuring that support is directed toward projects that achieve a real impact on the ground and contribute to corporate expansion and job creation. Furthermore, the development of vocational training programs was discussed to align perfectly with the requirements of industrial plant owners and fulfill their actual needs for skilled talent
27/10/2026
