How a Syrian family business thrives in Jordan and helps other refugees
A Syrian family forced to leave the war-torn country and move to Jordan managed to relaunch its business. Not only that, but the Al Harsh family created new opportunities for other refugees in Jordan.
Back in Syria, ToubaPlast, Al Harsh’s company that produced plastic and PVC pipes was on the road to success. The outbreak of war in 2011 forced the Syrian family to abandon their former lives and move to neighbouring Jordan. But the move did not stop the resilient entrepreneurs. Capitalising on their extensive experience, knowledge and skills, the Al Harsh re-established production in their new setting.
Now, to help integrate fellow refugees in their host communities, the Al Harsh family employs both Syrians and Jordanians, with plans to enlarge and bring on board many more talented people in the future.
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But the Syrian family also faced some problems.
“Access to finance is by far the main obstacle challenging the overwhelming majority of Syrian SMEs who are looking to start a business in Jordan, with no credit history in Jordan,” Ghaleb Al Harsh, one of ToubaPlast’s managing directors, said.
That’s when the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development stepped in. Under the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Framework, EBRD financed ToubaPlast with a loan of JOD 150,000 (equivalent to over US $200,000).
EBRD says that by working with small businesses such as ToubaPlast, it promotes a strong role for the private sector in providing sustainable livelihoods for refugees as well as bolstering the economic resilience of host countries. The Bank has established a wider refugee crisis response plan, made up of its own and donor funds that so far have received contributions from the European Union, the United Kingdom and USAID.
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