The EMPHASIS project is stepping up to support Lebanese SMEs during a time of crisis. With the economic slowdown and uncertainties caused by the pandemic, small businesses in Lebanon are struggling to keep up and stay competitive in the market. The project aims to provide technical assistance and skill-sets to businesses, especially those in the agri-food and Environment & Sustainable Development sectors, to help them identify and tap into added values and business opportunities.

The project is led by Euro-Lebanese Centre For Industrial Modernsation at the Industrial Research Institute (IRI), EMPHASIS Lebanese partner, which has selected four SMEs based on their ‘readiness’ to engage with the open Innovation (OI) ecosystem. The selected SMEs represent various sectors, including Sustainable Energy Environment & Sustainable Development and Agri-food, and face different challenges, from access to finance to skill gaps and lack of advanced R&D.

The first SME, PulP, creates low impact building materials from non-recyclable paper waste like coffee cups and tetra packs. With the support of the EMPHASIS program, PulP will be able to offer better-performing products to its target audience while maintaining lower costs and weight, increased thermal insulation, and better soundproofing. This will help the business to remain competitive while reducing its impact on the environment.

The second SME, SAID SAIFAN, is a notable player in the world of olive oil, olive oil soap, and table olives. With the help of the EMPHASIS program, SAID SAIFAN Sal will expand its market and reach an international level, leading to more production, recruitment, employability, and impact on the labor force.

The third SME, Glovi, is a new start-up that is developing and innovating a new biomedical system to save lives, increase safety, and prevent surgical infections. The EMPHASIS program will help Glovi Machine to get the capacity building and certifications needed to equip them with the highest technology, making the Glovi Machine a major time saver, preventing the transmission of viruses and microbes, and providing a fast and safe way to open the packaging of the gloves.

The fourth SME, Agro Cedrus, is a 50-year-old enterprise that recently obtained organic certification and started producing organic carob molasses, kibbles, and powder, as well as organic carob seeds. With the support of the EMPHASIS program, Agro Cedrus will become the first SME in Lebanon to provide LBG and carob protein germ from locally planted organic Carobs trees powered by solar energy.

In conclusion, the EMPHASIS project is a lifeline for Lebanese SMEs, especially during these challenging times. By providing technical assistance, skill-sets, and capacity building, the project is helping businesses identify new opportunities, become more competitive, and expand their markets. The selected SMEs represent the resilience, creativity, and potential of Lebanese entrepreneurs, and their success will have a positive impact on the economy and the community.