ILO/GCC Sub-regional Workshop on Enterprise Development in the Gulf Region: Establishing an Enabling Environment and Building on Best Practices

The ILO Regional Office for Arab States is organizing a workshop with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to promote the ILO-ILC2007 Conclusions on Sustainable Enterprises. This is a part of an ongoing cooperation agreement between the ILO and the GCC.

The overall objective of the workshop is to promote the ILO-ILC 2007 Conclusions on Sustainable Enterprises and the importance of supporting young entrepreneurs and fostering an entrepreneurship culture in the GCC through: (i) improving the knowledge and understanding of enterprise development with a special focus on women and youth in the Arab Gulf Region, (ii) learning from international best practices and those stemming from the Arab region, (iii) sharing ILO’s experience in the field and (iv), discussing strategic future developments.

More specifically, the aim of the workshop is to:
  • Discuss how policy, legal and regulatory reforms could create the conditions for sustainable enterprise development.
  • Discuss the conditions for a successful economic diversification strategy.
  • Present ILO’s implementation modality for delivery of Business Development Services.
  • Present ILO’s best practices in the introduction of entrepreneurial learning in the education system.
  • Assist participating country representatives to use this wealth of expertise to each develop an enterprise development country action plan.

Profile of Participants

The workshop will be attended by representatives from the GCC member countries, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. Attendees will include representatives of the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Education and Higher Education, Ministry of Planning and/or Ministry of Finance. Additionally, other enterprise development agencies/experts and Human Development Funds from the GCC countries will also be invited.

Workshop Outcome

At the end of the workshop, participants will have acquired additional knowledge on ILO tools in the areas of enterprise-enabling environment, entrepreneurship education, enterprise productivity and competitiveness through responsible workplace practices and BDS provision based on best practices and international implementation experiences. Additionally, participants will develop action plans on enterprise development to be discussed and implemented in their countries upon return. These action plans will guide ILO’s enterprise development interventions and support in the GCC countries for the next two years.