Setting up a successful business is a difficult venture for any entrepreneur — even under the best of circumstances. However, women entrepreneurs face the additional burden of having to make their way in what is often considered a man’s domain. It is for this reason that UNCTAD’s Empretec program, a pioneering UN vehicle for the promotion of entrepreneurship, launched the First Women in Business Award. The Award focuses on women-owned businesses that have benefited from the business development services of Empretec. Launched by UNCTAD in Argentina in 1988 and supported by the private and public sectors, Empretec affiliates have nurtured over 120,000 entrepreneurs in 27 developing nations with the help of more than 600 local certified trainers.
The creation of small and medium-sized enterprises is at the heart of balanced and successful economic development. What distinguishes the ten women selected for the award is their ability to surmount obstacles traditionally faced by small enterprises. At a time of cultural change in their home countries, they also act as role models for other women.
Among the ten nominees for the first award, is one from the Arab World. Sana Zaal Burgan owns Med Grant in Jordan. Med Grant promotes medical services in Jordan, in particular to international “medical tourism” clients. Its activities are supported by a website — www.JoHealth.com, through which patients from around the world can obtain trustworthy information and arrange for treatment within Jordan. The website summarizes scientific research carried out by Jordanian doctors and provides a marketplace where buyers of medical equipment can find suppliers. The company also does charity work, particularly related to disease prevention, cancer, drugs and women’s health.
Med Grant has an estimated value of about half a million dollars. The business has capitalized on the simple fact that Jordan’s modern medical system and well-trained doctors are able to provide attractive services to medical tourists. Some 100,000 foreign patients visited Jordan annually between 2002 and 2007, and Med Grant has found a successful niche in matching patients with potential providers of health care. The goal set by Jordan’s medical tourism sector is to expand earnings to $1 billion per year. Worldwide, medical tourism resulted in 19 million voyages in 2005 with an income of $20 billion.
