Migration, Trade and Investments

It is a process that has different phases. The first one is the identification of skilled migrants in host countries. Once they are identified, networks of migrants are established. Within these networks, migrants are encouraged to create thematic groups. Once this network is constituted, a big national seminar in Morocco is created to which Ministries, National Institutions, Center of Research and Universities are invited. So far, there are networks in Germany, the United States, Canada and Denmark.

Originated from the Netherlands, IntEnt was set up to facilitate the creation of new business by entrepreneurial and enterprising migrants. IntEnt distinguishes itself from regular SME promotion programmes with its special focus on bridging two worlds. Its services are primarily offered to migrants who wish to set up a business in their countries of origin.

SEVA is an ISO-certified international organisation for sustainable development. SEVA’s strategy is to stimulate entrepreneurship among the poor and marginalized in developing countries. As of 2011, SEVA received funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the project ’Migration and Development 2011-2013’, which is a continuation of a previous, successful project. For the moment, 25 enterprises have already been established in among others Ghana, Rwanda, Burundi, India and Surinam.

The MDM INVEST, is a fund aimed at promoting the investments of Moroccans residing abroad, by matching a 10% subvention by the Government and up to 65% credit by a bank. The migrant investor must bring in at least 25% of total budget.

The government of Belgium has established a web portal dedicated to linking African diaspora entrepreneurs residing in Europe to sources of funding in selected countries of origin.

The Algerian-Belgian Medical Association is made up of doctors who organize trips and training days in Algeria. They carry out surgeries free of charge. These actions involve both Belgian and Algerian doctors. Currently there are people that have been trained in Algeria and are now working in Belgium.

The Expatriates Welfare Bank Act of 2010 established the Probasi Kaylan Bank in Bangladesh, a specialised bank that provides collateral-free easy loans to aspirant migrant workers, as well as expatriates and returnees for investments and self-employment.

IOM, jointly with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), implemented a project which aimed to contribute to the GoN’s initiatives to generate employment opportunities for returnee migrants and remittance receiving households (RRHHs), through the engagement of the private sector in Nepal. The project funded by IOM Development Fund was a joint initiative of the MoLE and IOM following discussions with government, returnee migrant organizations and the private sector.

In 2011 the United States of America launched IdEA - the International Diaspora Engagement Alliance - a non-profit organization managed via a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Calvert Foundation. IdEA provides a platform to foster engagement between the U.S.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) is a one-stop-shop for diaspora members who wish to invest in Ghana. It provides information and encourages diaspora members to set up small and medium size enterprises (SME's) in Ghana to generate employment and reduce poverty.