USAID-funded Sustainable Achievement of Business Expansion and Quality Program (SABEQ) through its Deputy Chief of Party Carol Swan and the CEOs of six companies have signed individual indefinite quantity agreements to provide the marketing communications series for the coming four years.This is in line with SABEQ's objective to create opportunities for Jordanians.

The six companies were selected after an open competition process beginning with a request for proposal that was issued in June 2007. The companies selected to support the USAID-funded SABEQ Program in its initiatives are: Asdaa', Insight, I Relations, Borouj-momentum DDB, Prisma, and Razorview.

The selected companies will provide services in support of the SABEQ Program objectives in a variety of communications consulting activities, including, but not limited to the strategy development and planning for the public awareness campaigns as called for in SABEQ's Year 2 work plan. These awareness campaigns will support the efforts in key sectors such as Agriculture, Medical Services, Pharmaceuticals, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) which concerns Contact Centers as a segment. In addition the campaigns will work to change mindsets among Jordanians relative to the perception of employment barriers.

Speaking at the event, SABEQ Program Chief of Party Rodrigo Ortiz noted the importance of such partnerships with local firms, 'The focus of our work in Jordan is in part to increase people's awareness regarding opportunities in the various areas of employment, and to encourage them to take pride in their work and to do that work well. We all have here an opportunity to tap into the talents and expertise of Jordanian firms to reach this goal.'

SABEQ's focus on various sectors is designed to improve productivity each on the sector to facilitate growth of the Jordanian economy. The other sectors the program is focusing on include: architecture and engineering, ICT, packaging, financial services, local economic development, as well as apparel and light manufacturing. The program is also involved in the crucial topics of water, energy and environment conservation.

The USAID-funded Sustainable Achievement of Business Expansion and Quality Program (SABEQ) is a five year broad economic development initiative implemented by BearingPoint, Inc. and a sizeable team of international and Jordanian partner firms. By both supporting improvements in the business environment and providing assistance to expand innovation and productivity in Jordanian businesses, to support the main objective of building up the private sector as a powerful engine of economic growth.