Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, proceeded, yesterday, with the opening of the Pailles en Queue Tailoring Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative Society Ltd in Pamplemousses.
In his address, Minister Bholah recalled that the launch of the Garment Making/Tailoring Shop falls under the Garment Making/Tailoring Scheme for Cooperatives.
He underlined that the Cooperative Division of the Ministry targets new niche markets adding that a well-defined plan has been put in place since 2020 for sewing and garment making since it is a promising niche for the future.
He underscored that courses are being offered by the National Cooperative College in collaboration with the Fashion and Design Institute. As regards financial support for the setting up of the sewing workshop, a financial envelope of Rs 200,000 is budgeted to support each cooperative society that starts up in this field, he indicated.
This financial assistance, he added, is used for the purchase of equipment, payment of six-month rent and materials related to the shop. Furthermore, he pointed out that during a survey carried out by the Cooperative Offices, nine cooperative societies expressed their interest in taking sewing training and subsequently set up sewing workshops.
Six of these cooperative societies have applied for financial assistance and so far four cooperative societies have been approved. He appealed to cooperative societies to move into new niche markets and promising sectors and added that the National Cooperative College is aligned with this vision by offering courses that enable a breakthrough in new areas.
Courses in eco-bag making, bio-organic agriculture, composting, ornamental fish farming, and online marketing are being offered, he said. Acknowledging the role of cooperatives in the economic empowerment of women, Minister Bholah reiterated Government’s vision of encouraging women entrepreneurs to join in the cooperatives sector and to promote local production.
He also recalled that the co-operative movement boasts a historic contribution to the empowerment of women. He stated that cooperatives are therefore an effective means and platform for the inclusion of women as members and leaders of cooperative enterprises. They provide opportunities for women to demonstrate their leadership and help in their economic empowerment and job creation, he said.
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