Entrepreneurs’ Organization and International Finance Corporation Sign MoU
Agreement signed to establish collaborative efforts to boost private sector and entrepreneurship
Alexandria, Virginia, USA (19 February 2020) – Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), the world’s leading peer-to-peer network of successful business leaders and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the largest global development institution focused on the private sector and a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish ongoing dialogue and cooperation to meet their shared goals of supporting the private sector and entrepreneurship.
The MoU signed at the IFC headquarters in Washington, DC has set the stage for EO and the IFC to explore areas of collaboration that help support entrepreneurship through existing initiatives and programs. A key focus area will be to make connections between EO and IFC networks, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and insights, and to engage entrepreneurs as drivers of job creation, economic growth and sustainable development.
Fadi Fallaha, External Engagement Committee Chair at EO stated, “EO is all about making connections, locally and globally. With the signing of this MoU, we hope to give more members the opportunity to participate in dialogue focused on economic reforms and policy actions through the IFC, and to provide grassroots and private sector feedback on the development impact of IFC investments.”
Speaking more on EO’s engagement with the IFC, Amer Nasereddin, EO Global IFC Ambassador said, “We had several EO members participate in an IFC facilitated discussion held in Jordan recently. The meeting brought together members, IFC experts, WBG officials and ministers of the Jordanian government. It allowed the exchange of local market and business insights and offered our members a platform to improve their local business environments. The meeting laid the foundation for collaboration between EO and the IFC and we are looking forward to replicating its success in other countries.”
EO and the IFC will also explore areas of collaboration to help support women entrepreneurs and promote gender inclusiveness through various programs.
“This partnership is a win-win for all involved,” said Stephanie Von Friedeburg, IFC COO. “It will strengthen IFC relations with private sector players and facilitate exchange of knowledge that brings analytical tools to entrepreneurs and investment opportunities to IFC to guide our upstream project development.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Carrie Santos, CEO of EO said, “EO has always been committed to helping business leaders transform through learning and growth. Collaborating with the IFC will help our members learn more about their business environment and also encourage them to contribute to improving that environment. We look forward to continuing support and dialogue with the IFC at all levels of our organization.”
EO educates, transforms, inspires and offers entrepreneurs invaluable resources in the form of global events, leadership-development programs and executive education opportunities, among other offerings designed for personal and professional growth. To learn more about EO, please visit: www.eonetwork.org
