IFC officially launched its Business Edge program in Afghanistan on Monday, June 15, 2009, . The program is now up and running in Afghanistan with three licensed training firms and a first batch of Business Edge qualified instructors. At a special event held in the Kabul Serena Hotel, IFC presented its Business Edge program to a group of about 50 of Afghanistan's leading corporations as well as major donor agencies and large programs focused on developing the small business sector. The highlight of the morning event was the introduction of IFC's three new licensed Business Edge training partners. Earlier this year, IFC reviewed applications from 11 Afghan training companies interested in becoming licensed Business Edge distributors in Afghanistan. Using a rigorous selection process, this number was eventually narrowed down to three companies who have since signed cooperation agreements with IFC to become Afghanistan's first ever Business Edge training providers. The three firms include a successful woman-owned business development services provider, a leading firm of chartered accountants, and a dynamic and fast-growing management consultancy. "We're very pleased with this solid group of training providers," says Mark Towhey, IFC's Business Edge Country Coordinator for Afghanistan. "We've got three great partners. Each of them has exceptional strengths in slightly different areas. Together, they will be a very powerful solution for small business training in Afghanistan." Fadilat Consulting Group is a dynamic management consulting company with strengths in business development and human resources management. Avais Hyder Liaquat Nauman (AHLN) is an experienced accounting firm affiliated with RSM International. Kaweyan Business Devleopment Services is one of Afghanistan's leading BDS firms. An initial group of seven trainers from the three licensed firms was trained in Business Edge methodology and content during a comprehensive Training of Trainers workshop conducted in Kabul from June 10 to 13. They are now prepared to use international best-practices techniques for adult learning coupled with a world-class training curriculum to help small business owners and managers overcome some of the barriers to increased success.