SME Internationalization in the Arab Region
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital drivers of jobs, growth, and resilience across the Arab region—especially in fragile and crisis-affected contexts. Yet their potential to access regional and global markets remains largely untapped. Expanding internationally can help SMEs diversify risks, increase income, and strengthen long-term sustainability.
This regional webinar series, organized by ESCWA in partnership with the ICC-ESCWA Centre of Entrepreneurship, supports SMEs in exploring and entering international markets. Through practical tools, policy insights, and real-world examples, the initiative strengthens SMEs’ skills, networks, and readiness for cross-border trade, with particular focus on fragile and transitional contexts.
Target audience: Entrepreneurs, SME owners, policymakers, and development practitioners from across the Arab region.
Sessions Overview
Session 1 —Core Concepts and Policies of SME Internationalization
📅 10 February 2026
Speaker: Wael Eldesouki Bedda, Secretary General, SKSEED Entrepreneurship
Brief: This opening session introduces practical pathways for SME and startup internationalization, focusing on how firms can access regional and global markets despite limited resources. It highlights the role of policies, institutions, ecosystems, and firm-level capabilities in enabling successful market entry and scale-up.
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Session 2 — Unlocking Export Opportunities with the Global Trade Helpdesk (GTH)
📅 17 February 2026
Speaker: Mohamed Issa, Global Market Analyst, International Trade Centre (ITC)
Brief: Building on Session 1, this session demonstrates how SMEs can translate concepts into practice by using the Global Trade Helpdesk to analyse market demand, regulatory requirements, and competitors, including in challenging and high-risk environments.
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Session 3 — Building Export-Readiness
📅 24 February 2026
Speaker: Khalaf El-Saket
Brief: This session helps SMEs understand what it takes to become export-ready. It walks participants through key readiness checks across skills, operations, compliance, and market preparation, while addressing common barriers to exporting. Practical examples from different Arab country contexts are used to help SMEs assess where they stand and what actions are needed to move forward.
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Session 4 — Simplifying Access to Global Markets with ICC One-Click
📅 3 March 2026
Speaker: Youssef Abouyoub, Head of Project Management, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Brief: Participants are introduced to digital tools that simplify market entry, with a focus on streamlining documentation, compliance, and cross-border trade processes through the ICC One-Click platform.
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Session 5 — Strategic Pathways for Syrian SME Internationalization in a Fragile and Recovery Economy
📅 10 March 2026
Speaker: Mouna Kiwan, International Affairs Officer, ICC Syria
Brief: This session examines strategic and policy pathways for Syrian SMEs to access regional and international markets in a fragile and recovery-phase context. It links internationalization to business resilience, job creation, and income generation, while highlighting priority reform and support areas for Syria.
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Session 6 — Strategic Pathways for Iraqi SME Internationalization in a Transition and Diversification Economy
📅 17 March 2026
Speaker: Mohammed Al-Issa, Business Development Director, ICC Iraq
Brief: This session examines strategic and policy pathways for Iraqi SMEs to access regional and international markets in a fragile and diversification-focused economic context. It links internationalization to private-sector growth, job creation, and economic resilience, with particular attention to reducing dependence on oil, strengthening value chains, and expanding non-oil exports.
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