MOU to the tune of Rs. 705 000 to Promote Women Entrepreneurship

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aiming to promote women entrepreneurship through capacity-building programmes to the tune of Rs. 705 000 was signed by the National Women Entrepreneur Council (NWEC) and the British American Investment (BAI) Mauritius Co Ltd yesterday in Phoenix. 

In line with the MOU, the second signed by the NWEC with the BAI, some 15 capacity-building programmes geared towards improving the managerial and technical skills of existing and potential women entrepreneurs will be organised over 12 months, that is, from March 2011 to March 2012. 

Under the programmes, some 1 000 women will be trained by the NWEC which operates under the aegis of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare.  Courses offered will include human resource development, finance, marketing strategy, business planning, market survey and sales management and focus will also be on sharing of best practices and networking in the field of entrepreneurship.  Moreover, the NWEC will undertake to create 30 women owned enterprises.  It is also expected that the NWEC will bring its contribution towards increasing the turnover of existing women owned enterprises by an average of around 10%, six months following the training programmes. These programmes will be financed by the BAI under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

Speaking at the signature ceremony, the Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, Mrs Sheilabai Bappoo, GOSK, welcomed the initiative of the BAI and called for closer collaboration and sustainable partnerships in the implementation of joint projects between the various agencies under the aegis of her Ministry and the private sector with a view to reshape and improve the services that are being actually provided.  ‘It is necessary to take stock of our experience and consolidate, come with a new mindset, innovate and promote the plan of action designed for women entrepreneurs’, said the Minister. 

Even if a lot has been achieved so far, much still remains to be done in this sector.    Women have been lagging behind men in entrepreneurial attributes so there is a need to catch up and go fast in order to be at par with men.  The training programmes will strengthen our efforts to support women entrepreneurs, observed Mrs Bappoo. 

The Minister laid emphasis on the need to monitor closely and evaluate the training offered.  She also announced an upcoming partnership with a private bank to support women entrepreneurs. 

For his part, Mr Rishi Sookdawoor, President and Chief Executive Officer of BAI, said that the BAI firmly believes in empowering women in assuming leadership and in managing their own businesses.  The CEO expressed satisfaction to being engaged in a strategic alliance with the NWEC.  He noted that this partnership has been successful before and as such the present year appears promising through this renewed engagement. 

It is recalled that in April 2009, the BAI signed its first MOU with the NWEC to the tune of Rs. 250 000 and this joint partnership has already contributed to the training of around 700 women throughout the island with an aim to improving their managerial and technical skills.