Weekly Update

HIGHLIGHTS

Washington, DC – CIPE celebrated the power of entrepreneurship around the world during Global Entrepreneurship Week, a global movement supported by the Kauffman Foundation. From Lebanon to Russia, and Peru to Pakistan, CIPE is working to strengthen the skills and capacity of entrepreneurs to build a better democratic and economic environment for all. You can view an interactive presentation on CIPE’s entrepreneurship events here http://prezi.com/cwxtlqvtxrfx/cipe-and-global-entrepreneurship-week-2011/. 

Washington, DC – CIPE also released the latest issue of Democracy in Action, which focuses on the role that entrepreneurs play in democratic development. Read it here: www.cipe.org/democracyInAction/111511/index.html. To learn more about CIPE's entrepreneurship activities around the world visit Community of Young Entrepreneurs website at www.reformsnetwork.org/youth/.

GLOBAL PROGRAMS, COMMUNICATION, AND KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

Washington, DC – CIPE Deputy Director Jean Rogers moderated a panel, “Matching the Market and the Model: The Business of Independent News Media,” at an event hosted by the Center for International Media Assistance and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers at the National Endowment for Democracy. During the discussion, panelists explained how ineffective management models pose significant risks to the sustainability of independent news media. The speakers also examined what lessons can be learned from various business models for media around the world.

Washington, DC – CIPE released the latest Economic Reform Feature Service article, titled “Women Entrepreneurs: Seizing Opportunities and Making a Difference,” based on remarks from the panel on economic empowerment at CIPE’s Democracy that Delivers for Women conference. In the article, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, Mary Schnack, and Selima Ahmad address topics such as women entrepreneurs in post-conflict environments; business associations and advocacy; and training programs for women entrepreneurs. You can read the article in full here: www.cipe.org/featureservice/?p=682

Washington, DC – TrustLaw published a blog post by CIPE Director for Policy Reform Aleksandr Shkolnikov. In the post titled “Exporting Corruption,” Shkolnikov explains the consequences of corruption among multinational companies from emerging markets. You can read his blog post here: www.trust.org/trustlaw/blogs/anti-corruption-views/exporting-corruption/

Washington, DC – On the CIPE Development Blog, guest blogger Elmira Bayrasli, Communications Director at Peace Dividend Trust and a columnist on Forbes.com, discusses some of the challenges for entrepreneurs in transitioning Egypt (www.cipe.org/blog/?p=9926); Eastern Europe and Eurasia Program Officer Frank Brown argues that Russia’s legal system does not adequately guarantee property rights (www.cipe.org/blog/?p=9944); and MENA Program Assistant John Zanikos shares why Tarek Mohamed Bouzazizi, the Tunisian entrepreneur whose self-immolation inspired protests across the Middle East, could not defend his business from police harassment (www.cipe.org/blog/?p=9949).

AFRICA

Ethiopia – CIPE’s partner the Admas Common Affairs Consultancy Association held a public-private dialogue forum for 65 participants in Dire Dawa with local government officials to discuss government regulations and services affecting the business community. Representatives from the government included the Deputy City Manager Mr. Emaj Abdella, Head of the Land Development and Administration Mr. Abdulselam Mohammed, and the Senior Advisor to the Mayor Mr. Teshale Delelegn. Private sector representatives included owners of private companies and civil society organizations from nine community townships from around Dire Dawa. As part of an ongoing dialogue between the private sector and government officials in Dire Dawa, the participants discussed the poor quality of infrastructure, high taxation, and poor security. CIPE is supporting Admas Common Affairs Consultancy Association to engage the government in public-private dialogue and to advocate for reforms affecting the private sector.

Nigeria – CIPE partner, The Center for Entrepreneurship, Skill Acquisition and Sustainable Development (CESAD), held a two-day training program on ‘Deepening Public-Private Sector Partnerships for a Business-Friendly Environment’ in Lokoja, Kogi state, for 18 directors of key ministries from the state’s Executive Branch. The participants identified the factors that hinder the state’s economic development, as well as those that account for the disunion between the state’s public and private sectors. They then made individual commitments to work more closely with the private sector to enact the necessary reforms that will promote a more business-friendly environment for the state, such as pressing for the liberalization of land administration in the state; reforming the state-wide process of tax administration; and computerizing the land acquisition process. CIPE consultant Fred Whiting and CIPE Africa Field Representative Wumi Gbadamosi facilitated the training sessions, along with CESAD staff and volunteers. CIPE is supporting CESAD to improve the dialogue between the public and private sectors in the North-Central Zone to help elected officials comprehend the importance of market-oriented legislation.

ASIA

Philippines – CIPE Regional Director John Callebaut is in the Philippines this week to meet with the Institute for Corporate Directors (ICD).

Thailand – The Thai Institute of Directors (IOD) is exploring potential ways for its private sector anti-corruption coalition to monitor the government’s upcoming reconstruction program. In response to devastating floods, the government of Thailand is preparing to spend billions of US$ on infrastructure rehabilitation, much of which will be supported by multilateral and bilateral donors. Concerned that such unprecedented levels of spending could engender unprecedented opportunities for corruption, IOD is exploring ways to inform the Thai citizenry and business community on government activities, to present the government with proposals on spending priorities, and to launch a “transparency pact” initiative for government tenders. IOD is consulting with CIPE staff on how best to proceed.

EURASIA

Kazakhstan – The Kazakhstan Institute of Directors (KID) hosted a series of seminars on corporate governance on November 10-12 for 28 faculty members and 19 graduate students from four universities in the city of Kyzylorda. Discussion topics included the fundamentals of shareholder rights, the role of corporate governance in the efficiency of corporations, the current trends in corporate governance in Kazakhstan, issues associated with public IPOs, and the role of corporate governance in a democratic society.  Seminar participants evaluated the seminar as highly valuable and nearly all participants indicated that they will disseminate information received at this seminar to their peers and recommend placing materials from this seminar on their university’s website.  

Serbia – On November 3, Camelia Bulat, CIPE Romania Program Director, visited Belgrade to participate in a project planning workshop organized by CIPE’s partners the Serbian Association of Managers (SAM) and Center for Liberal-Democratic Studies (CLDS). The workshop’s first session focused on experiences in public policy advocacy and how to build the voice of business. The second session was dedicated to developing the implementation strategy for the new CIPE-supported project that will strengthen the voice of the Serbian business community in the public-private dialogue. Seven representatives of SAM, CLDS, and three regional chambers of commerce (from Nis, Valjevo and Pozarevac) attended the event.

LATIN AMERICA

Argentina – The Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (CIPPEC) presented the fiscal policy memo at the "Public Budget Conference" organized by the National Senate. Luciana Díaz Frers (Director of CIPPEC´s Fiscal Program), focused on the need to increase Congress’ level of participation in developing the budget, and the need to increase Congress' capabilities through a Congressional Budget Office. Diaz Frers also insisted on the need to design explicit and specific criteria about how budget funds are assigned. Approximately 30 advisers, legislators and journalists attended this conference.

Paraguay – To celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Paraguayan Foundation sponsored events throughout Paraguay to promote entrepreneurship and develop the qualities and competencies of entrepreneurs. These activities included forums, workshops, informal as well as formal chats and discussions about entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurship fairs in 23 different locations in Paraguay. For more information about these events, as well as a full schedule of activities, please visit the Community of Young Entrepreneurs website.

MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA

Lebanon – On November 14-15, the Development for People and Nature Association (DPNA), in partnership with CIPE, held a capacity-building workshop for the steering committee of the Entrance to Enterprise (E2E) Alumni Network. Developed by DPNA and CIPE, E2E is an entrepreneurship and civic education curriculum for Lebanese high school and university students.  As a result of the workshop, conducted by CIPE Communications Director Caroline Scullin, the steering committee developed a year-long strategy for sharing knowledge among E2E’s approximately 330 alumni, providing technical assistance to young entrepreneurs interested in establishing businesses, and cultivating a spirit of entrepreneurship among Lebanese youth (www.cipe.org/blog/?p=10019).

SOUTH ASIA

Pakistan – In recognition of Global Entrepreneurship Week, CIPE Pakistan held a forum in Karachi on entrepreneurship for 40 university students. The students noted the difficult regulatory environment for start-up businesses, the lack of access to finance, law and order issues, and discouragement of entrepreneurial risk as major challenges to starting a business. CIPE also worked with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry to hold a similar forum for over 80 chamber members, diplomats, young entrepreneurs, and students. Press coverage of the Islamabad event can be found at the following links: www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=77837&Cat=3 and http://tribune.com.pk/story/293111/us-to-help-promote-entrepreneurship/.

Bangladesh – On November 16, the Government of Bangladesh inaugurated a display and sales center for women entrepreneurs in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry has long been urging the creation of such a center to help women entrepreneurs market their goods.  BWCCI President Selima Ahmad and several board members attended the opening, which was hosted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Calendar of Events for the Week of November 20 – 26

November 21-22           Executive Branch Training Workshop, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria (Center for Entrepreneurship

Skill Acquisition and Sustainable Development (CESAD))

November 21                Paraguayan Foundation’s Night of Stars, celebrating entrepreneurship education programs,

Asunción, Paraguay (Paraguayan Foundation)

November 22                International Forum: Property Rights and Freedom: A Challenge for Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela

(Center for the Dissemination of Economic Knowledge (CEDICE))

November 22                National Business Agenda Conference, Chisinau, Moldova (Institute for Development and Social

Initiatives)

November 24-25           Legislative Staff Training Program, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria (CESAD)

The CIPE calendar is online at www.cipe.org/calendar. Have questions about CIPE events? Contact Caroline Scullin by e-mail (cscullin@cipe.org) or phone (202-721-9200)