Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abduallah visited the offices of the Business Development Center-BDC on Monday where she has been briefed by Mr. Nayef Stetieh President and CEO of the BDC about the various projects run by the Center such as USAID-funded Tatweer Project, Financial Operations Results- (FOR-Jordan Project), Exports Development Program to European Markets, Friends for Success, Women-Owned and Managed Businesses Project and the Regional Business Development Service conference.

Her Majesty also met with Maharat's trainees and recruiters to hear more about their experiences with the internship program that recruits recent graduates from Jordanian universities and provides them with two types of training :"On-the-Job" and "Pioneers" conducted by professional practitioners to receive job opportunities in Jordanian companies.

Zeena Al Bishtawi, who was recently employed as a credit risk associate at City Bank, said her experience with the program had changed her outlook on life "I am proud to have landed a job that was looking for experienced professionals on my own. Previously my family and peers lowered my self-esteem, because they based my potential by my grade average in university. I have learned never to underestimate myself". On the other hand, Doha Abdul Khaleq, head of the human resources development committee at Eskadenia Software, said that unlike other programs she has approached that did not work, this program is filling a gap strategically and efficiently by transforming inexperienced students into capable professionals ready to work. The IT company with around 120 employees has hired 20 Maharat participants. "For me, Maharat is the preferred channel for employment and I would like to see them expand and become the Kingdom's main recruitment centre," she said.

Her Majesty encouraged the Business Development Center to expand on its efforts to create jobs for recent graduates from Jordanian universities and supported its mission in integrating Jordanian youth in the business environment effectively by boosting their capacities and skills. "I hope that the private sector will reap the benefits of these programs and I would like to see them implemented in more governorates" the Queen said. Furthermore, her Majesty emphasized the importance of the role played by Jordanian companies by recruiting "Maharat"'s graduates and encouraged them to support this program.

Mr. Nayef Stetieh, President and CEO of BDC stated that the Center has trained and employed more than 316 recent graduates since its launch last year and is currently operating throughout the kingdom's governorates.

Maharat Internship Program is part of the Business and Export Development Project for Jordanian Enterprises-Taweer, the USAID funded project managed by the Business Development Center-BDC providing two types of training: "On the Job", a six month recruitment and training program through a full time job at a Jordanian SME and "Pioneers", a full time training program for 45 days in one specialized area such as Human Resources, Public Relation and Customer Services.

BDC is a Jordanian non-profit development organization contributing to economic development and a better life for all Jordanians. The BDC helps Jordanian enterprises realize their full potential, create more jobs with higher incomes and prepares them to compete successfully in regional and international markets. As a regional and national resource, the center also launches business development service initiatives and facilitates several donor economic development projects. The BDC works with a broad range of donors -such as USAID, business service providers and partners. BDC manages a number of projects and pipeline initiatives which help MSMEs successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities of the competitive business and industry environments to reach even higher levels of achievement.