31 Aug 2017

Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) Ramotswa branch manager, Ms Dulu Moaisi says opportunities can still be seized to start businesses in the South East District.

Speaking during the branch stakeholder seminar on August 28, Ms Moaisi encouraged entrepreneurs to take advantage of low rentals in the district, adding that they were fortunate to be close to Gaborone where they could sell their products to a larger market.

She also pleaded with different entities who had attended the seminar to encourage entrepreneurs in the district by supporting them to excel in the business sector.

“As stakeholders you have to support local businesses for them to compete on an equal footing with bigger companies and foreign ones,” he said.

Ms Moaisi called on the district to align its objectives and interventions to eliminate poverty.

She said stakeholders should compel government and parastatals to buy locally produced goods and services.

“These businesses will improve the economy, create jobs and wealth,” she stated.

For his part, LEA market analyst in Ramotswa, Mr Khaolani Phineas said LEA was open to everyone willing to start business.

Mr Phineas added that LEA always gave advise to entrepreneurs on how to write business plans, adding that they also coordinate entrepreneurs to run the business in a professional way.

He noted that entrepreneurs were facing challenges such as lack of capital, shortage of land and stiff competition which ultimately lead to their business collapse.

In his comments, Citizen Entrepreneurship Development Agency (CEDA) official, Mr Godfrey Phale said many businesses were collapsing because there was no mentorship.

He said many entrepreneurs were not doing well and that the reason was that there was a gap between stakeholders. ENDS