LEA To Focus On Creating Competitive, Sustainable Enterprises
Pauline Dikuelo | Monday April 30, 2018 13:00
Speaking during LEA’s annual Pitso, themed ‘Empowering Botswana SMMEs in pursuit of business development and economic diversification’ the CEO Dr Racious Moatshe said that the strategy is aimed at creating a competitive and sustainable pool of enterprises within the targeted period. “We undertake to execute this strategy which would be launched this year with utmost commitment, precision, vigor and agility that resonates with entrepreneurship and SMME demands,” he said.
Moatshe said the organisation’s strategic intention is to maintain strong alliances with the rest of stakeholders moving forward, to support their collective mandates and ultimately benefit the SMMEs and the larger economy.
He said the Pitso and seminar are important, as they accord entrepreneurs and aspiring ones an opportunity to share their views, experiences as well as proffer recommendations that could positively contribute to the success of their businesses and usher a conducive climate for SMME growth and sustainability.
The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry (MITI) Peggy Serame used the gathering to urge SMMEs to focus on external markets and exports since the local market is small.
She assured entrepreneurs that government would play its role to help them in this regard.
“As government we will continue our facilitator role in ensuring that the environment is conducive for entrepreneurs to help them penetrate the regional and even international markets. I urge you entrepreneurs to establish strategic networks that would benefit your course,” she said.
In addition she called for the collective support from the government, private sector and various industry captains to work towards empowering the SMMEs and collectively working towards their success as they operate their businesses.
“Entrepreneurship development is not an easy task and cannot be achieved by LEA alone and for the Authority to successfully deliver on this huge mandate they need support from all stakeholders,” she said.
Further she said that it is the responsibility of government and the private sector to work collectively in the assessment of the business landscape under which the SMMEs operate, as well as identify challenges that impede their growth and together find sustainable solutions that will enable their enterprises to flourish.
The forum centres on the promotion of entrepreneurship and development of SMMEs in the country. It focuses on enhancing the business environment for the SMMEs to grow into competitive and sustainable businesses that can significantly contribute towards diversification of the economy.