Four hundred and sixteen Proximity Business Advisors September 8, closed a nine day civic education and business skills training.
The training focused on empowering them to provide business skills through coaching, counseling and provision of other advisory services that are close and accessible to rural micro enterprises while responding to real needs in the rural business setting.
The Minister of Trade and Industry, François Kanimba noted that 416 participants completing the training is a sizeable and energetic group that carries the responsibility to ignite an entrepreneurial culture in communities across the country, support new business creation and foster business expansion to create new jobs.
“In order to kick-start the proximity business advisory initiative, a common training was organized to ensure a harmonized and shared understanding of the business advisory scheme as an unconventional move to pursue accelerated private sector growth and ultimately attain rapid economic growth to the tune of 11.5% per annum”, the Minister said.
He added that the success of the scheme will be judged by the number of SMEs born/grow, the jobs created directly by new businesses established as well as existing businesses. The tasks ahead have clear impact if undertaken effectively.
Participants in the training have called for adequate facilitation to be able to reach out to the community especially transport, communication, office materials and equipment.
Minister François Kanimba promised that the Ministry of Trade and Industry and its Partners will continue to garner support for SME development and private sector growth in general.
As they go back to their respective districts and sectors, the Proximity Business Advisors (PROBAs) vowed to ensure that local entrepreneurs have easier access to business services (training, business management and marketing, access to finance).
According to the 2011 Establishment census 52.3% are engaged in whole sale and trade and 27% are in accommodation and food services.
The whole PROBA arrangement is expected to serve as a feedback mechanism to all stakeholders engaged in SME development to help partners provide meaningful and relevant support for entrepreneurship development across the country.
PROBA is a scheme designed to reach out to rural micro and small enterprises with the support of International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) through PPPMER II Project (Projet pour la Promotion des Petites et Micro Enterprises Rurales).
The training has been a blend of civic education and business Skills organized and delivered through collaboration with “Itorero ry’Igihugu” and other partners; the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Rwanda Development Board, the Ministry of Defense, the Rwanda National Police, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, the Business Development Fund, the Association of Microfinance in Rwanda (AMIR) and the Rwanda Cooperative Agency.
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