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Appreciation speech by Selemani Kinyunyu on behalf of
Believe Begin Become Participants.
Dar es Salaam Tanzania,
31st October 2007.
The
Guest of Honour, the Executive Director of TIC Mr. Ole Naiko, Technoserve Deputy
Country Director Mr. Alex Mkindi,
Distinguished guests, fellow participants, members of the press, ladies and
gentlemen; on behalf of my fellow participants it is with great honor and appreciation that I address you today.
It
is with fervent anticipation that we have awaited this graduation event. The
three month sojourn that has been the Believe Begin Become competition has
brought with it many memorable moments.
The
program kicked off with Phase 1 which comprised a one day seminar in both
Arusha and Dar es Salaam and over 400 participants attended. We benefited from
the one day training and received inspirational counsel from respected
entrepreneurs. This went a long way to lighting the fire to see our business
succeed.
Phase
2 constituted of a very very very intense 7 week business development program.
Here we learned the art of strategic business development and planning. We
learned skills such as planning, finance, marketing and administration. We
created a network of business associates and even lifetime friends. Phase 2
ended with the submission of our draft business plans and although there were
many times we were tested to our limits, we know and are confident that that
knowledge we have gained will prove invaluable.
As
an insight into the viability of the various business ideas submitted to this
stage of the competition, it is expected that at the end of the fourth year,
the various businesses will have a total turnover of US$ 8 million. It is also
anticipated that some 3000 fulltime jobs will be created and a further 9000
part time jobs.
It is
evident that these businesses will go a long way in facilitating and advancing
development at all levels in Tanzania. This is the key reason that justifies
investing in such businesses.
In
this light, we are seeking assistance to further the ambitions of many SME’s.
We
are kindly calling on the Government to put in place further legislation and
programs to reach the most needy and disenfranchised. We are also seeking
further access to development funds, tax benefits and working in closer
collaboration with respective Government Ministries to ease business
startups. We believe and have faith in the
far reaching powers of the Government to aid SME’s in this and any respect.
We
appeal to members of the private sector to empower small entrepreneurs with
grants and bursaries and to further sponsor entrepreneurship development
programs like these. Banks can offer fair and favorable loans that will also go
a long way to ensure SME’s can gain access to credit to help them start and
successfully run their businesses. Existing businesses can also facilitate
mentoring programs to hone and impart necessary skills and practices to budding
entrepreneurs respectively.
We
do understand that we must bear the heavy mantle of entrepreneurship, and in
this regard, we have formed the BBB Entrepreneurship Networking Society. We aim
to use our resources to facilitate and further SME business development in
Tanzania.
At
this juncture I would like to conclude with a word of thanks.
Our
sincere gratitude and thanks goes out to Technoserve Tanzania for facilitating
this truly expansive program. We would like to thank especially Kim Brearly and
the Organizing Committee for the great amount of personal time and effort they
put in to ensure each participant was afforded every opportunity to develop
their ideas and businesses.
Sincere
plaudit goes out to all the sponsors of the inaugural Technoserve Believe Begin
Become Competition in Tanzania. Without the support provided this competition
would not have reached this phase.
We
also express out appreciation to the many instructors and lecturers who took
the time to provide us with the information and resources to sharpen and
initiate out business ideas. We are deeply grateful for the many moments they
went out of their way to further impart their many years of knowledge.
We
would also like to thank members of the Google Team who were always ready to
provide fresh insights and the occasional laugh. We especially enjoyed the
broken Swahili.
To
my fellow participants, family and friends thank you for the many moments of
encouragement. You were the invisible spark that kept the fire of determination
burning. Thank you for the insights and correction when needed. In you we have
fostered great friendships and alliances.
As
we reach the pinnacle of this great journey, we would like to thank all who
have participated in one way or the other to organize this event. I would like
to encourage and remind all participants that we are all winners and that
perseverance and determination bear the fruits of a future rich with
rewards. Ladies and gentlemen I would
like to present to you tomorrows business leaders! Thank you.
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