Download A Coastal Bakery

A Coastal Bakery
A pastry chef working in
a city frequented by
tourists expands his
small business
Ever since Naji returned from Brazil to settle in Jbeil, Mount
Lebanon, he has worked to share his passion for baking with
the community in Jbeil. Naji wanted to expand his bakery and
cater to the summer tourists flocking to Jbeil for its coastal
beauty. Naji, however, did not have the capital needed to
expand his business.
After learning about the Association d'Entraide Professionnelle
(AEP), a microfinance institution supported by the USAIDfunded and IESC implemented LIM Program, Naji applied for a
loan and received $4,000. Using the loan, Naji purchased an
ice cream machine that would appeal to summer tourists and
local residents. Naji also used the funds to purchase a delivery
car, expanding the reach of his business opportunities.
Due to these enhancements, Naji’s monthly net income
increased by 20% and the bakery’s popularity flourished. Naji is
very proud of his achievements and said, “The loan made my
life much easier and came at the right time and occasion.”
Naji working in his bakery
“The loan made my life much
easier and came at the right
time and occasion.”
-
Naji
In 2009, the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) started the Lebanon Investment in
Microfinance (LIM) Program, implemented by the International
Executive Service Corps (IESC) through the Volunteers for
Economic Growth Alliance (VEGA), designed to increase
access to finance in rural areas of Lebanon through supporting
microfinance organizations.