One of the greatest complaints by Lebanese living outside Greater Beirut is that they are left out of many development plans. Especially in the IT sector most attention is focused on Beirut where the lion’s share of action normally takes place. Rural areas, however, are left out and not thought of as places where information technology or connectivity means much. But these days this is changing, as a small micro financing program is under way. Al-Majmoua — The Lebanese Association for Development has received a $150,000 grant from the International Executive Service Corps (IESC) to support rural area entrepreneurs in the ICT sector. This is the first time a microfinance program is aimed at businesses in IT in rural communities, according to Mahmoud Elzein, deputy country director of IESC. “Since IT businesses in rural areas are small, there are many obstacles for them to get financing through a bank whereas
