Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Ministry of Small Businesses Development, Cooperatives and Marketing in collaboration with Technomath Ltd (Pty) Lesotho and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have introduced an online marketing application
called ‘Marakeng e-Market, which is intended to assist the upcoming local food producers to advertise their products. According to the Press Statement released by the Ministry, Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs) as well as Cooperatives societies are the backbone of Lesotho’s economy. It further reads that they are the major employers for women
and youth as key drivers of innovation. Like other industries, MSMEs and Cooperatives societies have been exposed to the Covid-19’s economic impact due
to the precautions and disproportionate economic sectors affected by social distancing measures and transport irruptions. It says MSMEs and Cooperatives societies are
also particularly exposed to trade restrictions. It further says the Ministry together with Technomath and UNDP then decided to introduce an application
called ‘Marakeng e-Market app to assist MSMEs with marketing platform especially during this period of Covid-19. Ministry of Small Businesses Development, Cooperatives and Marketing Senior Marketing
Officer in the Department of Marketing Nothembile Nobala explained that ‘Marakeng e-Market application is an app that is designed to link market between the upcoming farmers and food producers with their customers using
internet. She noted that the app can be installed on a smart phone and within it, there will be categories of products sold and it will also contain information regarding the products such as names of products together with
their pictures, prices and the location where they can be found. She said the benefit is that when a person has ordered though this application, there can be
delivery for products bought especially during restriction of movements. Nobala further said once the app has been launched, products that are going to be
available on the app are fruits and vegetables. “With time the plan is also to include other products because as time goes on, we want the app to accommodate
all Basotho products,” she said. Nobala indicated that the app is going to benefit the upcoming producers such as farmers. She said for this application
to reach and benefit every producer in the country, the ministry through its marketing offices at districts level, with their contact persons will assist producers
with registration for placement of their products on the app. She said the app is going to reduce the outcry that there is no market for upcoming producers in
the country. Technomath Ltd (Pty) Marketing Director Refiloe Litabe said the app was developed last year having realized closure of borders hence difficulty for street vendors to
get stock from South Africa (SA) and sell fruits and vegetables. “As the technology company which is trying to solve everyday problems for Basotho, we then thought of ways in which we can of help,” she said.
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