Africa-Press – Botswana. Micro entrepreneurs have been encouraged to knock on doors in search of opportunities.
Addressing micro entrepreneurs at a workshop organised by Turning Point on Wednesday, Assistant Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Beauty Manake said women were the backbone of the micro-enterprise sector and she implored them to knock on doors of both government and private sector institutions in search of opportunities.
She noted that there were various economic enhancing programmes in the public and private sector and that some were under-utilised due to lack of information by intended beneficiaries.
Ms Manake also urged public officers to sell economic development programmes to the public.
She said the uptake of some programmes was low because of lack of information. She gave the example of the cooperative societies funding under CEDA, saying it was not utilised.
Ms Manake, therefore, encouraged women entrepreneurs to form cooperative societies and take advantage of the fund.
“No one will take money for cooperatives if you do not take it,” the assistant minister said.
She also advised women entrepreneurs to work together to improve their livelihoods and businesses.
The assistant minister said government was unable to employ all job seekers, but that it had created an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
For her part, former health minister, Professor Sheila Tlou said women’s contribution to society was immense.
However, she said issues such as taking care of HIV/AIDS patients and access to funding as well as gender-based violence were some of the challenges facing women in business.
She added that there was need to review all existing laws against gender-based violence to make them more stringent and deterrent.
Prof. Tlou also said there was a need to come up with policies and programmes to support and equip women in business with the necessary skills.
Deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Ms Hellen Chillisa said there were various programmes which women could take advantage of.
She also noted that information to the targeted market was often lacking, adding that there was a need to empower women to take advantage of the programmes and policies.
The workshop organiser, Ms Boitumelo Bolele told the attendees that business growth was not dependent on access to funding alone, but that it needed commitment, dedication and capacity building.
She said the workshop provided an opportunity for the attendees to network and collaborate in future.
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