20 Mar 2017

Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) market access manager, Mr Phomolo Akoonyatse has advised entrepreneurs to take advantage of SMMEs directory.

Briefing entrepreneurs on the simple ways of marketing businesses during a seminar organised by LEA in Ghanzi recently, Mr Akoonyatse said advertising on newspapers and other media was expensive, hence the directory would be of use to them.

He explained that entrepreneurs’ contacts were collected and uploaded on LEA website to inform consumers about their businesses.

Mr Akoonyatse also informed entrepreneurs about mAgri USSD mobile application, which is a mobile service offering LEA clients a platform to sell their products/services and to access agricultural information, among others.

“The mobile phone-based service is addressing market linkages by giving farmers access to market prices, enabling them to negotiate better deals with traders and improve the timing of getting their crops or produce to market,” he said.

He noted that mAgri helps transform the way the farming community interacts and shared agricultural information through mobile devices.

According to Mr Akoonyatse, services include a function where farmers can send a text message to a specific number, which then gives them wholesale and retail prices of crops.

He also noted that through mAgri mobile services, which currently has over 60 000 users, entrepreneurs access information about LEA, which includes their trade fairs and training schedules. To set individuals account one can dial *118#.

“If you do not market your businesses, no one will know about the products or services you offer, thus leading to the downfall of the businesses,” he said.

He implored entrepreneurs to always seek help, adding that his office was always ready to offer market linkages for SMMEs so as to create awareness and improve competitiveness of such businesses in the market.

One of the participant, Mr Kgosi Kahiko advised entrepreneurs to also consider market through sign boards as it was cheap and does not require complex technology. ENDS