relationships were formed and old acquaintances were renewed in November when 110 graduates of the Middle East Entrepreneur Training in the U.S. (MEET U.S.) program came together for a MEET U.S. Alumni Conference in Manama, Bahrain.

These top entrepreneurs and business leaders hail from 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and have all participated in MEET U.S. training and networking programs in the U.S. since the program's inception in 2003.  Attendees made the most of this opportunity to catch up with fellow 
alumni, receive further training and share new developments in their lives and careers. MEET U.S. is managed by the Beyster Institute and funded by the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative.

The conference coincided with the official opening announcement of the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence in Bahrain, providing an exceptional kickoff to the alumni event.  MEET U.S. graduates joined with the region's prominent government officials and business leaders to welcome this region-wide catalyst for entrepreneurial activity, job creation and economic development.  The Center is a joint initiative of the G8 nations and the government of Bahrain under the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative.

The mood was celebratory after the Center's launch was announced.  About two hundred guests were present including the Center's Executive Advisor, David Mosby, and keynote speaker William T. Monroe, the U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain.

Ambassador Monroe told attendees that the Center will play a key role in identifying and training entrepreneurs from across the region and preparing them to compete in the global economy. 

"It symbolizes our belief that investing in the business talent of the region will advance reform, economic development and democracy in the broader Middle East and North Africa," he said. 

The Alumni Conference consisted of two days of intensive training mixed with plenty of networking and socializing opportunities.  In addition to the MEET U.S. alumni, several student leaders from the region were also selected to participate in the conference. 

The program focused on advanced training for owners and executives of growth companies in the region.  Specialized seminars were offered in successful negotiating, effective business communication, and developing a focus to achieve priorities. 
The conference also featured several panel discussions, including a panel of representatives from international resource organizations moderated by Joel Rubin of the U.S. Department of State Middle East Partnership Initiative.  Participants learned about service offerings from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Centre for Entrepreneurship, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the International Finance Corporation and the Financial Service Volunteer Corps. 

Particularly informative and interesting were several action workshops in which the entrepreneurs discussed their real-life experience on topics such as dealing with regulatory and bureaucratic barriers, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, and expanding access to financing. 

Be sure to read the next issue of our ezine for a report on the interesting conclusions and recommendations participants took from these action workshops.

 ©2007 The Beyster Institute and its authors and their entities. All rights reserved.
Republished with permission from The Beyster Institute.