Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Lesotho Enterprise Assistance Programme (LEAP) has announced the provision of grants to all business sectors from manufactures, private firms and Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). LEAP Manager ‘Makopano Mosakeng explained that LEAP started this initiative in 2007 in an effort to assist all the businesses with matching grants that boost
businesses to acquire improvement services. These include development of software management systems such as point of sales. She explained that they also assist
with the development of marketing tools like development of websites, banners and others. She further said LEAP pays 80% of the cost for private companies and 75% grant
support for trade associations. “Normal business costs will not be supported,” she said. Mosakeng added that for a business to qualify for LEAP grant, there
is an application form to be filled and it will be accompanied by a trader’s license, tax clearance, financial statements and other necessary business documents.
She also said the application form is into two sections where the first part provides basic information of the enterprise. Part 2 outlines the activities or action plan that the businessman wishes to
undertake along with the impact it will have on the business in terms of sales, revenue and employment growth. She said they prefer a business to have at least
three years of operation and do not consider the age of the business owner, as long as his/her business has been in existence for three years or above.
Mosakeng emphasized that so far, LEAP has assisted over 700 businesses from the applications they have received since 2007. She pointed out that LEAP also makes follow-ups on its clients after the grant has
been disbursed to see if the business progresses accordingly. “However, we don’t expect the business to immediately flourish after development of the website.
But, at least after a certain period of time, such a business should start showing progress,” she said. She added that their main focus even if it does not come directly, is to see the business creating more job opportunities.
Mosakeng said Basotho, especially those manufacturing their own products, are faced with a challenge of the quality of their products and market availability, more so,
the international market. She said LEAP aims at improving businesses and looking for international market for Basotho products and businesses through the marketing tools such as websites. For further details on grant application, businessmen are to contact LEAP on the following numbers +266 22315100.
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