Malta Enterprise (ME) is organising a practical introductory course to the Arabic language aimed at entrepreneurs doing business in Arabic-speaking countries or interested in expanding their business activities in the region.
The course, for which there will be no charge, is scheduled to begin on 30 January. Two-hour long sessions between 6.30 and 8.30pm will be held at the Kordin Business Incubation Centre (KBIC) every Monday and Wednesday until 27 June.
Among other things, the syllabus of the introductory course includes basic vocabulary, such as the Arabic alphabet, numbers, time and date, as well as basic grammar and sentence construction. As the participants become more fluent in Arabic, instruction will then move on to conversation and eventually to the more complex elements of the Arabic business language, focusing on subjects such as the type, set-up and aim of business, business negotiations and other related matters.
Progress will be monitored through periodic assessments, while a certificate of attendance will be provided at the end of the course to participants who attend at least 80 per cent of the sessions. The course will be delivered by Naim Dhifi, Consular officer at the Embassy of Malta in Tunisia, who also assisted ME in the formation of the course structure.
While the idea was first considered during the Libyan crisis, ME has developed the course further to cater for the needs of those wishing to conduct business not only in Libya but in the entire North African region, which is currently offering a multitude of opportunities as a result of the Arab Spring.
Indeed, businesses participating in two delegations to Tunisia in the past year reported good prospects for business, while there has been an overwhelming interest from local enterprises to participate in the business delegation to Libya in the coming months.
The Arabic language course complements the assistance already being provided by ME, which includes on-the-ground assistance in Libya through the Commercial Office in Tripoli.
Bookings for the course will be accepted until Wednesday, 25 January. Only one applicant per company will be accepted as places are limited, although additional participants may be considered, subject to availability.
Further details may be obtained by contacting ME on 2542 0000 or via email on [email protected]