06 Aug 2018

Assistant Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry has appealed to beneficiaries of various economic programmes to assist government to diversify the economy and fight poverty by being responsive to the needs of customers.

Officiating at the Central District cluster fair at Mahalapye on Friday, Mr Moiseraela Goya said government does not want to be seen as promoting dependency. Beneficiaries on welfare relief programmes were empowered to be hands own and fend for themselves, he said.

He said for the various programmes and services offered by government to bear fruit, beneficiaries must be determined for change.

Mr Goya said government has keen interest in ensuring that communities were empowered, both socially and economically to lead sustainable livelihoods. Government has taken a deliberate move to identify local talent and market it, he said.

Mr Goya said the social and community development cluster fair enabled beneficiaries to interact, network, share skills and experiences to improve their work. He said the act of handicrafts was basically producing items through manual skill, while the indigenous skills played a positive role in eradicating poverty.

Mr Goya has advised beneficiaries in small, medium and micro enterprises to identify a niche in the market and manufacture goods and provide services that would meet the demand.

He said producing goods that were in demand would not only grow and sustain their businesses, but would go a long way in improving their livelihoods, creating employment opportunities and diversifying the economy.Beneficiaries were also encouraged to be innovative and proactive in their approach to business.

Mr Goya said the fair was testimony to the fact that government was committed to improving and advancing small scale enterprises. “If well nurtured, the sector will contribute significantly to economic growth,” he said.

Looking at the quality of products produced, Mr Goya said small scale enterprises had the potential of penetrating the international market. “They may be referred to as small, but the quality of their produce is of international standards,’ he said.

Mr Goya said through the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), the American government has created a market for goods from Africa.

He noted that basket weavers have taken advantage of the act and that their products were being exported to America.

He also appealed to small enterprises to double their efforts and produce quality products that would satisfy international markets.

The assistant minister said government efforts of fighting poverty would only be realised with the support of small businesses. ENDS