Women certified to get SME financial start-ups

SIXTY-FIVE Kowi Women’s Association members received Start Your Business (SYB) certificates that will facilitate their bid for financial start-ups from the Government’s K200 million small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) fund.
They received their certificates last week after completing a training conducted by the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs’ Corporation.
Association chairman Dela Yalga said members decided to attend the training because of the opportunities created by the Government.
“We are mostly hardworking mothers who have been committing our lives in the informal sector but we need to be educated on business prospects as well,” he said.
“Mothers are managers and they have a heart for their families and do what they can do to survive.
“After realising the support from the Government through the SME sector, we decided to attend this two-week training.
“There are business opportunities but we are not that sensitive to try it out.
“We believe this training has motivated and given us the confidence to venture into formal businesses.”
SME Corporation managing director Petrus Ralda said: “SYB training is a world-standard training currently used by 160 countries.
“The training helps participants get into business, how to plan and progress.
“But there are two other trainings yet to be conducted to help improve business management.” We are also conducting correspondence courses as well,” he added.