60 beneficiaries of IRADA programme display, sell products

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister on Friday opened the Central Province Exhibition for the products of IRADA programme at Souk Jara.

The exhibition, held in cooperation with Jabal Amman Society, was an opportunity for 60 beneficiaries of the programme to showcase and sell their products, a Planning Ministry statement said on Saturday.

The showcased commodities included homemade foodstuff and handicrafts made by members of charity and cooperative societies in Amman, Zarqa and Balqa.

Similar expos will be organised in the northern and the southern provinces through the year, the statement noted, adding that there are 10 permanent selling points in Amman, Madaba and Aqaba.

Planning Minister Mary Kawar said that supporting such events come as part of the ministry’s efforts to improve the small enterprises, which will improve their livelihoods and benefit the local communities across the Kingdom.

She added that the ministry provided the beneficiaries with feasibility studies, technical support, training and funding, in addition to facilitating sales which is the biggest challenge facing the beneficiaries.

The exhibition is among the services provided by IRADA’s 28 centres across all governorates.

The centres train entrepreneurs on skills such as packaging, calculating cost and pricing, networking with similar enterprises and participating in fairs, according to the statement.  

Established in 2002, IRADA has had a significant impact on both individuals and local communities by boosting initiatives and increasing awareness on the production process. It provides opportunities for investment in small and medium enterprises with the aim of improving their livelihood and entrepreneurs and employees’ income, consequently raising the culture of investment in the community and exploring investment opportunities within available resources, according to the ministry.