The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has signed a partnership with Tatweer Research in support of a new Business Start-Up Accelerator program, funded by the European Union's "Africa Trust Fund" to enable entrepreneurs in Tripoli, Benghazi and Sabha to grow and generate jobs for hundreds of youths.

UNDP said in a statement that strengthening the economic potential of start-ups and accelerating their growth has an enormous potential to mitigate youth unemployment and contribute to sustainable development.

"This remains at the heart of UNDP’s local Peace-building efforts”, UNDP Resident Representative Mr Marc-André Franche underlined during the ceremony.

The signing ceremony was also an opportunity for start-ups already benefiting from the Tatweer-UNDP partnership to showcase the progress and results of their growing businesses in innovative sectors.

"We are encouraged by this new partnership with Tatweer Research that enables entrepreneurs to grow and create ways for sustainable employment. We are particularly grateful to the European Union for its continued support to promote job creation and entrepreneurship in Libya.” Franche said.