MESO Level

IMPROVE ACCESS OF WOMEN AND MEN-LED MSMEs TO MARKETS IN THE PRODUCTIVE SECTORS

In collaboration with the Government of Lebanon and relevant stakeholders, UNIDO and UNDP in Lebanon are working on providing MSMEs, entrepreneurs, and cooperatives in the agri-food and agriculture sectors with the needed tools to access international markets.

These tools aim to help producers access new markets through Market intelligence, export capacity and readiness, and export promotion.

This MESO component of the program is implemented by UNIDO and UNDP. 

 

MARKET INTELLIGENCE 

 

LOCAL FOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 

ABOUT 

The electronic platform for food safety is an online portal that streamlines and simplifies access to food safety norms and requirements for agricultural products.

TARGET AUDIENCE 

Farmers & MSMEs in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.

OBJECTIVES 

This portal provides users with an easy-to-navigate tool covering value chain requirements from farm to fork (seedling, transportation, storage, and export/import requirements). Ensuring easy access to food safety regulations is not only critical for local food safety but also to safeguard that manufacturing facilities source products that meet food safety standards.

 

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN 6 VALUE CHAINS

ABOUT

Six Pre-Feasibility studies developed for 6 value chains identified as having high potential for social and economic growth.

TARGET AUDIENCE 

Investors & MSMEs in the agri-food sectors.

OBJECTIVES 

The 6 pre-feasibility reports provide insights on how to set-up manufacturing facilities that meet Good Manufacturing and Hygiene Practices (GMP/GHP), and keep up with innovative trends while abiding with national and international quality requirements.

 

 

INSIGHTS, LEGAL AND QUALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESSING INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

ABOUT 

LEBTRADE is a trade portal that provides market insights, as well as all legal and business requirements needed by MSMEs in sectors with strong export potential to access high promising international markets.

TARGET AUDIENCE 

MSMEs in the agri-food and agriculture sectors.

OBJECTIVES 

The platform offers tools and resources on a variety of topics including:

  1. A complete trade guide that accompanies producers throughout their export journeys.
  2. Access to an export readiness self-assessment tool.
  3. 8 specific market reports covering 4 identified products (olive oil, wine, pickles, and sauces) with export potential. These reports provide insights into commercial roadmaps, legal and quality requirements.

Link to LEBTRADE: https://lebtrade.gov.lb/

 

EXPORT CAPACITY AND READINESS 

LEBANON EXPORT ACADEMY AND E-LEARNING PLATFORM

ABOUT 

The Lebanon Export Academy (LEA), is the first of its kind in Lebanon that equips export ready start-ups, MSMEs, agricultural cooperatives and farmers in the agri-food and agriculture sectors with the required know-how and practical export skills to scale up their operations and foster their readiness to export.

TARGET AUDIENCE 

The Lebanon Export Academy targets export-ready start-ups, agri-food MSMEs, agricultural cooperatives and farmers.

OBJECTIVES 

The academy offers, through the mentorship of top-notch experts, 9 modules that address the practical issues that Lebanese MSMEs face throughout their export journey. The academy is the 1st to offer different learning modalities that meet the new fast-paced learning  environment:

  1. IN-PERSON
  2. SELF-PACED
  3. HYBRID 

The modules tackle various topics related to export readiness and are delivered by national and international practitioners in the field of exports. Visit the Lebanon Export Academy on this LINK: https://www.lebanonexportacademy.com/

 Watch Ruba Fayyad, Sales & Marketing Manager of L'Arome Delights, who graduated from the first cohort of the Lebanon Export Academy, and learn straight from her how she was able to apply the acquired knowledge, put into practice export techniques, and build new partnerships.

Maha Raha, founder of ‘Spreadly’, is another graduate from the 1st cohort of the Export Academy, who was able to kick-off her first export plan to export her products to France and the Netherlands, using the knowledge & skills acquired from the Academy.

 

EXPORT PROMOTION PLATFORM 

LEBANON EXPORTS PLATFORM FOR COMPANIES TO ACCESS INTERNATIONAL MARKETS

ABOUT 

LEBANON EXPORTS is an export platform that connects Lebanese MSMEs in the agriculture and agri-food sectors with regional and international buyers and promotes made-in-Lebanon products.

TARGET AUDIENCE 

MSMESs in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.

OBJECTIVES 

The platform gives access to:

  1. An exporter’s directory: By registering, companies increase visibility of their products and connect with international buyers.

  2. Market reports on sector-specific country guides: Companies are provided with valuable information on key trends in various markets, insights on how to enter those markets, key import regulations and quality requirements, and more.

  3. Fairs and B2B meetings: Registered companies have access to a list of international fairs and B2B events helping them connect with buyers and potential business partners.

Link to the Lebanon Exports Platform: https://www.lebanonexports.gov.lb/

ACCESS TO LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET SUPPORT

ABOUT 

MSMEs in the agriculture and agri-food sectors were offered tailored technical, capacity building & export readiness support to access local and international markets.

TARGET AUDIENCE 

MSMEs, cooperatives and entrepreneurs in the agri-food and agriculture sectors.

OBJECTIVES 

The support programme aimed at allowing MSMEs to access local and international markets. 

Three categories of support were developed based on the companies’ level of readiness and capacity to export:

  1. Category 1 - MSMEs with export potential and readiness - Support to access and expand in international markets through in-store promotion, digital marketing & boosting , trademark registration, tradeshow participation such as the Arab SME summit 2023, and export coaching. 
  2. Category 2 - MSMEs with limited export acumen - Support to access and expand in local market through Christmas market participation and branding, design uplifting and labeling upgrades. 
  3. Category 3 - Mostly newly-established MSMEs - Capacity building through coaching sessions and branding support.

 

 

The 71 beneficiaries of the Lebanon Export Academy, as well as the 16 Micro beneficiaries, were sent a survey to apply to access to local and international market support programme, of which 75% responded.

Following is a precise list of criteria, based on which 51 MSMEs were selected.