Call for Formal Business Registration

Background

Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and suffering in the world’s poorest countries. Lebanon Branch of Concern worldwide operates in Akkar, North (Tripoli/T5) and Beirut Governorates and has its main office in Halba. Under the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (BPRM) fund, US, Concern Lebanon Livelihoods Program is currently implementing a project entitled “Value Chains for improved socioeconomic well-being of Vulnerable Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Groups”. The Project intends to support vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees to improve their skills, capacities, for greater access to income generating activities in a protective environment that supports economic and psychological well-being with a high focus on the agricultural sector in Akkar and Dannieh.

Description of Business Registration Component

Agriculture in Lebanon is one of the pillars of the Lebanese Economy, this sector has faced many challenges that increasingly restricts its development and reduces its opportunities for growth. Agricultural Enterprises among other Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME s) in different sectors are the drivers for economic growth and job creation in Lebanon. Hence, they need to be supported and capacitated in order to sustain and improve the livelihoods of both vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian Refugees and that of their communities.

For this purpose, Concern Lebanon Livelihoods Program involves a MSME’s Legal Support Unit that encourages their formalization to improve their economic capacity and productivity, create formal employment that facilitates workers transition to formality and promote decent job opportunities for both men and women entrepreneurs.

 Led by Livelihoods Labour Law and Decent work Specialist, this component includes the following services:

1. Handling the overall process of Formal registration of previously established businesses in different sectors with a strong focus on businesses working in the agriculture and/or agro-food sector. The businesses will be registered in the North Commerce Registry and /or CCIAT  
2. Covering all the business registration fees. 
3. Provision of a business registration certificate for each business once the registration process has been completed in addition to a Commercial Radio and all other relevant legal documents.

Provision of Legal awareness on basic legal regulations for operating and registering a business, basic tax rules, required documents, due fees and duration of registration completion.

Criteria for participation:

This free legal support targets Lebanese Entrepreneurs and Business Owners preferably running agri-businesses or agro -food businesses. The selection of the businesses will be based on the following criteria:

Restrictive criteria:

• Already established business located in Akkar and North Lebanon (including T5).
• Business owners aging above 18 years old.
• Non- registered business.  
• Business owners having Basic literacy level
• Micro, Small and Medium sized  Enterprises 

Preference criteria:

• Lebanese owned businesses partnering with and/or employing Syrian Refugees
• Businesses established by youth and /or women.
• Businesses currently employing or with high potential for job creation/ income generation for one or more of the following groups: women, youth, elderly, people with specific needs (PWSN) caretaker of PWSN.  
• Entrepreneurs/businesses adopting innovation/creativity mind-set and having potential for growth and export.
• Businesses that respect the gender equality in employment
• Businesses who previously did not receive a registration service from Concern and is not benefiting from other forms of assistance.