Arad resident Rustam Chisaniyev says he knew nothing of running a business before immigrating to Israel 4 years ago from Russia. Today he and his wife Ella own a prosperous marble and tile enterprise, which provides work, and an income, for 4 people. The secret of their success, Ella revealed, lies in the EDU, the Partnership 2000 supported Arad Tamar Economic Development Unit, which gave them all the necessary aid, from concept development to market research, and seed money in the form of a loan.

Staff members at the Arad Tamar Economic Development Unit say that despite the country wide general recession, an unprecedented number of entrepreneurs are applying for assistance to open businesses in the area. Many are new immigrants. Hilla Tzachi an EDU councilor says: "without the funds provided by the New Jersey - Delaware communities. the Economic Development Unit could never have achieved so much. Last year alone 60 new enterprises were established with EDU aid.

The assistance is open-ended. Wholesaler Eyal Shachar, with his Mexican born wife Yasmin, opened a Protective Clothing Agency, which supplies imported goods countrywide. Eyal says that he feels that he has a big brother in the EDU.

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Sivan 5763 - June 2003