Published by: The Times of Swaziland
Date: 10 September 2007
BY: Cassandra Shaw
MALKERNS – Acting Minister of Enterprise and Employment Chief Sipho Shongwe noted that the Business Plan Competition (BPC) was the first step towards creating a better Swaziland.
Speaking during the BPC graduation ceremony of the top 55 finalists held at House on Fire on Friday, Shongwe said entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprise (SME) development were two issues which were at the core of government policy.
“It is our belief that in order to achieve our goal of long term sustainable economic development, we need people like you entrepreneurs to develop new ideas and businesses that will provide jobs and incomes for many Swazi people,” he said.
He applauded TechnoServe for supporting and strengthening today’s entrepreneurs.
“I am honoured to be part of this ceremony for the second year running, this demonstrates TechnoServe’s commitment to fulfilling its mission statement and delivering the goals outlined in the SWEEP programme,” he explained.
Shongwe highlighted some of the main objectives of the SWEEP programme which include:
- To support and strengthen today’s entrepreneurs and SMEs.
- To plant the seeds for entrepreneurs of tomorrow
- To build sustainable local capacity including the capacity of financial institutions to support entrepreneurs and SMEs.
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