Small and micro enterprise sector in Port Said : a baseline study

This study profiles the SME sector in the governorate of Port Said, a candidate for a proposed expansion of the project. Results show that of the 7,623 SMEs in Port Said, 67% are concentrated in the two adjacent districts of Hay Al Arab and Hay Al Manakh and 80% are commercial enterprises. SME proprietors in the study sample were 95% male; 57% were aged between 31 and 50, and 20% between 51 and 60. Proprietors exhibited a high educational profile, indicating a SME sector that is young, dynamic, and potentially receptive to new ideas. The study also found that: 50% of the respondents own their business premises; over 60% depend on a small number of permanent employees; and 87% of marketing transactions involve only the producer and consumer. The study concludes that, due to its port location, the SME sector in Port Said is skewed toward micro and commercial enterprises that provide the opportunity for a quick turnover and profit. Nonetheless, with the availability of credit facilities to provide operating capital to entrepreneurs, a more balanced mix of enterprises that include industrial enterprises can be achieved. Also recommended are provisions to support national and eventually international marketing of products and incorporation of a gender component into the project.