The importance of small and medium enterprises as one of the country's pillars for creating job opportunities for graduates in the fields of applied arts in application of the Singapore experience.

Introduction:

The Egyptian economy is one of the more diversified economies in the Middle East tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and services sectors all contribute with semi- equal ratios to the gross national product. Egypt ‘s current social and political transformation poses historic challenges and opportunities for its economic development and growth.

The lack of employment opportunities, particularly for youth under the age of thirty-five, has been cited as one of the principal causes of the Egyptian revolution and the country’s political unrest, which has taken its toll on the Egyptian economy. With political uncertainty and economic slowdown, there is an ever more urgent need to create jobs for young Egyptians.

Unemployment has reached its highest level, particularly among women and youth in Upper Egypt, at 13.4% in 2013. (Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics), Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of any economy, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a major role in most economies, particularly in developing countries. SMEs account for the majority of businesses worldwide and are important contributors to job creation and global economic development. They represent about 90% of businesses and more than 50% of employment worldwide. Formal SMEs contribute up to 40% of national income (GDP) in emerging economies These numbers are significantly higher when informal SMEs are included.+