BY FIONA MOTSA
MBABANE– In an attempt to assist emaSwati to start businesses and strengthen the economy, the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) will mainly focus on women this year.
EIPA will do this through the Vusumnotfo Expo, which will focus on women in trade and finance.
Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority (EIPA) has partnered with the Federation of Eswatini Business Community (FESBC) and Tums Water World for the second edition of the expo.
The expo will be from March 22 to March 25, 2023 at Tums Water World Hotel.
Last year there was a lot of focus on farming, building, and energy.
Domestic Trade Promotion Manager at EIPA Siphesihle Nkabindze revealed that not so many women participated in the expo.
“In these sectors, you find that women participate but not as many as one would expect. Some women join and drop out along the way. This is why the focus has shifted to women. We have come up with a plan to find other women who will find out what challenges they face as women in trade and which opportunities they need for their businesses to succeed,” said Nkabindze.
Nkabindze further mentioned that most business owners had the wrong idea about getting finances for businesses which was not the case.
“Most business owners think that incentives or finances can only be accessed by people outside the country who have invested in the country. This is not true because there are a lot of businesses which have programs with Eswatini Bank and the Central Bank of Eswatini which are also accessible to all emaSwati for starting businesses,” said Nkhabindze.
The manager further emphasized that all business owners who wish to sell or showcase their art or craft can get in touch with EIPA or FESBC.
