African Entrepreneurs Trained by Lockheed Martin's PAE

Pilot Program in Djibouti Supports Development Goals

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Mar 29, 2010, 01:10 ET

ARLINGTON, Va., March 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Three Djiboutian businesses successfully completed a pilot entrepreneur training program last week, the result of a partnership between PAE, a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) company, Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management and the U.S. military at Camp Lemonnier.

The "Empowerment through Entrepreneurship" pilot program connects local PAE employees and resident members of the military with small businesses in Djibouti, helping them to develop sustainable business practices and bring increased activity and stability into the local economy.

"We are proud to support innovative ventures that go to the heart of stability operations," said PAE President Dell Dailey. "This remarkable partnership shows real potential for paying off in the long run for Djiboutian small businesses."

Following a virtual training session between Syracuse faculty and students and Camp Lemonnier participants, the group came together in person last week to begin partnering with the three businesses, which were selected by the military civil affairs team on base.

The session culminated with a graduation ceremony held March 18 and attended by U.S. Ambassador James Swann, Djiboutian Chamber of Commerce President Said Omar Moussa and Camp Lemonnier Commanding Officer Captain William Finn.

After the week at Camp Lemonnier, the "Empowerment through Entrepreneurship" students from Syracuse, NY and Djibouti will continue to communicate with each other and develop strategies for their businesses via virtual classroom sessions. PAE and military class members in country will continue to visit the businesses to assess their progress and communicate new strategies for their development.

PAE, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, is a global company specializing in expeditionary construction, logistics, operations and maintenance, and training.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 140,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com

SOURCE Lockheed Martin