USAID LENS: Research Services, Governorate/Municipal Economic Profiles in Jordan

The USAID Jordan Local Enterprise Support Project (LENS) assists micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to grow their businesses and create job opportunities, while developing an inclusive enabling environment for economic development in selected governorates and municipalities. To promote growth and job creation among MSEs, LENS works to develop a conducive policy environment, drives activities to increase competitiveness, and enhances access to and awareness of a wide variety of financial products and services.

Al Jidara’s services included:

• Provided research and analysis services to support both components of the USAID LENS project; the LED (Local Enterprise Development) and the MSE (Medium Small Enterprise) in performing their future activities.
• Provided sector profiles to support enterprise development in target sectors : 1) Tourism and Hospitality, 2) Transportation and Logistics, 3) Food Processing and 4) Information and Communication Technology as an enabler,  and to provide Component 2 of USAID LENS with Governorate Economic and Political Profiles for the three governorates (Irbid, Zarqa, and East Amman).
  • The objective of the sector profiles was to promote growth and job creation among micro and small enterprises (MSEs) by identifying gaps, barriers and constraints to MSE competitiveness.  Additionally, developed profiles aimed to fill knowledge/data gaps related to the business environment and the challenges facing formal and informal MSEs which in turn will inform USAID LENS project activities. Recommendations for direct intervention that revealed possible growth and merited the program intervention were highlighted.  
• Provided support to LENS municipal selection process, assisted municipalities in developing and implementing economic growth strategies, and assisted LENS in identifying core areas for research. The assignment included a review of economic activity by district with a specific reference to municipalities and sectors, highlighting current and potential for future growth.  The Project also provided a review of the political economy by district including a brief overview of the drivers of change, recent successes, work with donors, and priorities.