Consulting Institutes in the Arab world Dr. Hamdallah Mubarak, CMC

Panel Participants 1. Dubai/UAE: Mr. Yousuf Abdulla Al Mulla – Acting CEO, The Consulting Office 2. Libya: Mr. Mohamed Wefati – Managing Director, Horizons Development Studies & Consultancy (IMC- Jordan Full Member) 3. Egypt: Mr. Tamer Abbas, CMC – Managing Director, Rising Stars Consulting (IMC-Jordan Full Member) 4. Lebanon: Mr. Mazen Khattab – Group Director of Strategic Marketing, Comium. Mobile Holding Group (IMC-Jordan Full Member) 5. Syria: Mr. Nawaf Zeidan – Senior Training & Development Consultant, SME Support Programme / SEBC

1. Objectives  Assessing the main issues and opportunities to set up IMC in Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Dubai  Assessing the main challenges to set up IMC in Lebanon, Syria, Libya, Egypt and Dubai  Identifying the role of IMC – Jordan of supporting regional IMC.  Identifying the main steps of establishing IMC in the region.

2. Lebanon 2.1 Country Information CapitalBeirut Population4.01 million GDP$53.98 billion Government Budget – Revenues$8.427 billion Government Budget – Expenditures$11.39 billion

2. Lebanon (Cont’d) 2.2 Key Issues & Main Challenges Key Issues - Numerous Local and International Consulting Firms are currently Present in Lebanon; - The Management Consulting Field was first introduced in Lebanon in the early 80’s; - Most Lebanese Consultants are working in Management Consulting Firms in the GCC countries or South Africa; and - The Establishment of NGO’s is considered easy in Lebanon. Main Challenges - Creating a Database for local consultants whether situated inside or out of Lebanon; - Presence of a huge number of local- consultants outside Lebanon. - Finding Local and/or International donors to Finance IMC Lebanon – in 2 years period- with an initial anticipated cost of US$ 200,000 due to the lack of activities for the first two years.

3. Syria 3.1 Country Information CapitalDamascus Population21.76 million GDP$101 billion Government Budget – Revenues$11.4 billion Government Budget – Expenditures$14.27 billion

3. Syria (Cont’d) 3.2 Key Issues & Main Challenges Key Issues -Syria is deemed inexperienced in the Management Consulting Field; -Given that Management Consultancy is newly introduced in Syria, high growth is anticipated in the upcoming 10 years for this Field; -Management Consulting should focus on both Private and Public sectors, with a special attention on privatization; and -The Public Sector is presently considered the dominant sector in Syria Main Challenges -Creating a Database for local consultants whether situated inside or out of Syria; -Finding Local and/or International donors to Finance IMC Syria – in 2 years period- with an initial anticipated cost of US$ 200,000 due to the lack of activities for the first two years.

4. Egypt 4.1 Country Information CapitalCairo Population78.86 million GDP$469.8 billion Government Budget – Revenues$50.95 billion Government Budget – Expenditures$63.39 billion

4. Egypt 4.2 Key Issues & Main Challenges Key Issues - Numerous Local and International Consulting Firms are currently Present in Egypt; - Local Management Consultants are found both in Egypt and abroad; - NGOs are deemed extremely active in Egypt; and - A huge number of International donors are found in Egypt which makes it possible to find a donor financing the establishment of IMC Egypt Main Challenges - Creating a Database for local consultants whether positioned in Egypt or elsewhere; and - Finding an International donor in order to Finance IMC Egypt. -Convincing Egypt Consultants to Join IMC – Egypt.

5. Libya 5.1 Country Information CapitalTripoli Population6.32 million GDP$85.04 billion Government Budget – Revenues$34.19 billion Government Budget – Expenditures$34.73 billion

5. Libya 5.2 Key Issues & Main Challenges Key Issues -Akin to Syria, Libya is considered inexperienced within the Management Consulting Field; -With regards to Management Consultancy, Administrative Training is the area of work that Libya depends on most; -Assignments carried out in Libya is conducted by Foreign Management Consulting Firms; -Lack of national Consultants holding a Senior Consultant position or other superior titles; -The Government currently support and pays attention to Management Consultancy related activities; and -The Government is likely to Finance IMC Libya if the idea is conferred. Main Challenges -Creating a Database for local consultants and -Convincing Libya Government to Finance IMC Libya.

6. United Arab Emirates (Dubai ) 6.1 Country Information CapitalAbu Dhabi Population4.79 million GDP$186.8 billion Government Budget – Revenues$55.07 billion Government Budget – Expenditures$54.68 billion

6. UAE- Dubai 6.2 Key Issues & Main Challenges Key Issues -Most International Management Consulting Firms – with well known names- reside in Dubai; -Management Consulting Firms located in Dubai conducts assignments for several countries abroad; -The Government constantly focuses on Management Consulting related- activities; and -The Government may Support the establishing of IMC Dubai. Main Challenges -Lack of National Consultants present in the UAE in General and Dubai in particular; -Building a Database comprising both native and non-native Consultants; and -Promoting IMC Dubai, in order for International Consulting Firms to show interest in its establishment.

7. Findings and Conclusions 1.Finding Local or International donors to finance IMC in each of the listed above countries with The Initial investment and fund requirements,for next three years, anticipated at US$200,000 – >US$ 300, Building data base for local & international consultants and consulting firms; 3.Convincing Local as well as International consultants to join IMC; and 4.Licensing IMC from Government.

8. Recommendations -Form an establishing committee that consists from ten consultants to start the process of licensing the IMC; -Obtain the preliminary approvals from ICMCI; - Licensing from the local authorities; - Prepare a three year business plan for the organization; - Find the appropriate fund from local or international institutions to Finance 2-3 years of IMC operations ; - Start working