16 Nov 2016

Selebi Phikwe branch manager of Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) Ms Masego Tsiang said the mandate of LEA is to implement policies and programmes for the promotion and the development of Small Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) in Botswana.

Ms Tsiang said this during a LEA annual roadshow in Bobonong on November 11, which is meant to take its services to the people.

She said the vision of LEA is to be the centre of entrepreneurship and sustainable SMME development in Botswana.

“The mission of LEA is to promote and facilitate entrepreneurship and SMME development through targeted interventions in pursuit of economic diversification, “she said.

Ms Tsiang said LEA offers services in small and medium enterprises such as business advisory, training and mentorship, business plan facilitation, market access facilitation, product and process certification incubation program and facilitation of technology adoption and diffusion.

She said in micro enterprises LEA offer trainings in sales and marketing, business planning, records keeping and entrepreneurship development training.

Ms Tsiang said in over the counter services LEA provide business development kit and templates for business plan preparation.

“LEA also conducts workshops on entrepreneurship awareness workshops (EAW),”she said.

She said LEA business incubation program is the nurturing of business in a controlled and protected environment.

Ms Tsiang said the objective of this program is to assist to accelerate growth for businesses through provision of space and shared services at subsidised rates.

“LEA incubators are handheld and provided with technical and business interventions,” she said.

She said LEA has resource centres that play a pivotal role in providing and availing oriented SMME information to its clientele and prospective clients. BOPA