By Yunus S Saliu
The Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment on Monday, 2nd October 2023 handed over equipment worth over D1.5 million to 14 women entrepreneurs who are members of the SheTrade Hub.
The support was received from the Enhanced Integrated Framework Sustainable Support Project (EIF SSP) and the grant aims to scale up women’s economic participation.
The beneficiaries of this equipment were selected from the horticulture and fashion sectors that have the potential to grow.
Speaking at the handing over of the equipment on behalf of the Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment was Lamin Dampha, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, he congratulated them and made them understand that they are supported so that they can expand their businesses beyond where they are today.
He informed them that there were lots of women from different sectors who had made requests and applied for this type of support, “but those of you that will receive the support we want you to make a very good use of this equipment.”
Notwithstanding, he said the handed over equipment to them will not be the end of the Ministry’s assistance to them saying the Ministry will continue to monitor their progress and see how they are growing with their businesses.
“We support businesses in many ways different from buying equipment and giving to beneficiaries, but we can also provide cogent services hence the Ministry has institutions with different capacities, such as GIEPA, marketing, and visibility of your products which are very important,” PS Dampha assured them of more supports.
He therefore thanked the team from the Ministry for a job well done especially their ability to make decisions and select appropriate entrepreneurs for support.
However, the equipment handed over to the beneficiaries included grinding machines, dehydrators, automated packaging machines, drying machines, dough mixers, solar dryers, stainless metal mixers, overlock machines, circuit machines, embroidery machines, barcodes, filling machines, PH testing machines, oil pressing machine, stirring rode and spatula, soap cutters, soap molds machine, electronic thermometer, mixing machine, agitator mixer and among other.