1 October 2008 | Washington D.C, United States
Building on a series of activities in the Middle East & North Africa network of business incubators and technology parks, the MENAinc network will convene in Morocco on Oct 29-31 to discuss the important role of business incubators and technology parks in national and regional economic growth.
MENAinc, the Middle East and North Africa Incubator Network, is a network of incubator professionals in the region. The Network was founded in Amman, Jordan, with support from infoDev to support its members through facilitating communication, sharing experience and enabling training and learning. Today MENAinc has 34 members from 13 countries.
Supported by infoDev, the aims of the upcoming workshop are to:
- Intensify the exchange of information and knowledge regarding the situation, aims, achievements, and perspectives for innovation and entrepreneurship promotion as well as business incubation within MENAinc and with other networks
- Raise Awareness about innovation and entrepreneurship for economic development and competitiveness
- Continue work on the activities of the MENAinc project 2008 (see workshop topics)
- Expand the MENAinc network by attracting and integrating new members an supporting organizations
Business incubators and technology parks, as well as their stakeholders, are invited to join the event. More specifically, the workshop will respond to the needs of Business incubator and technology park managers; Authorities and agencies responsible for promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship; and Research and educational institutions interested in promoting transfer of technology and start-up entrepreneurship.
Under the general aims described above, the Morocco Workshop topics will focus on:
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship Support in Morocco
- Building National Networks / Associations of Business Incubators
- Technology Entrepreneurship Program
- Commercialization of MENAinc Technology Innovation
- Cross Network Exchange Program for incubation Professionals and Entrepreneurs
Day 1: MENAinc Workshop participants will have the opportunity to attend a parallel event hosted by ASTF in Fez, the "5th Congress of Scientific Research Outlook in the Arab World: Scientific Innovation and Sustained Development". Please note that separate registration for this event is necessary by clicking here.
Day 2: Workshop topics will include Business Incubation in MENA – State of the Art and Perspectives; Business Incubation in Morocco Experiences and Perspectives; The MENAinc Project 2008 to set the stage for four ensuing work group sessions; MENAinc Board Meeting
Day 3: Parallel work group sessions on Building National Networks/Associations, Technology Entrepreneurship Programs, Commercialization of MENAinc Technology Innovation, and Cross-Network Exchange Programs; Preparation & Presentation of Work Group Results; Conclusions and Next Steps
The conference in Fez (October 29, 2008) is hosted by ASTF, the Arab Science and Technology Foundation. The MENAinc Workshop in Ifrane (October 30-31, 2008) will be hosted by Al Akhawayn University.
For further information about the event program and participation, please contact infoDev's Regional Facilitator for the Middle East & North Africa, Mr. Heinz Fiedler by e-mail at heinz(@)spice-group.de.
For further information about the MENAinc network activities, please visit iDISC's MENA regional pages and the MENAinc website.
Workshop outcomes and key papers will be posted here after the event - stay tuned!