Employment creation and support for small and micro-enterprises in the Maghreb countries

As a result of the persistent high unemployment in the Maghreb countries and the resulting migratory pressures and political and social problems, a budgetary line for "exceptional measures for the creation of employment in the Maghreb countries" was created in 1993. The programmes funded under this budget line should have a direct and immediate impact and supplement the more long-term development actions planned within the framework of the financial protocols of the cooperation agreements between the Community and these countries. This proposal aimed to lay down the detailed arrangements and administrative rules concerning the actions financed under this budget line: - The key areas were: creation and development of small and micro-enterprises, vocational training, industrial restructuring, institutional development, access to information. - The aid, which was non-refundable, would be allocated to investment projects, feasibility studies, technical assistance and training activities. - It could be combined with EIB funding. �