New business course launched in Central

Business, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday October 30th, 2013

 By GYNNIE KERO

SMALL business activities such as retailing and street vending have failed due to poor bookkeeping skills of the operators, a women’s group leader from Central said.

However, a group advocating entrepreneurship in the villages said a scheme to remedy this had been initiated.

Faustina Women’s Group coordinator Margaret Arabu said the “start improve your business” (SIYB) programme just rolled out in the local community would encourage the growth of micro economic activities in the area.

Describing SIYB as a changing mechanism, she said the entrepreneurial skills would boost their understanding of the savings culture alongside livelihoods.

SIYB participants had raised concern on the inflow of Asian investors in Central.

Speaking at the SIYB graduation at Kairiku-Hiri district last Friday, Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) acting managing director Henry Marasembi said the government was focused on growing the small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) sector.

Marasembi said: “The government’s focus now and into year 2030 is to grow the SME sector from 49,500 SMEs to 500,000 SMEs.  

Core functions of SBDC included skills training, providing advice and assisting people get into business.

He identified human resource development as a constraint among many small business operators.

Marasembi urged the 41 participants to use skills in securing opportunities from development activities in their areas.

To date, more than 10,000 entrepreneurs have undergone training.