The Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO), in partnership with non- profit organisation The Entrepreneurship Network (TEN), today wind up the fourth annual entrepreneurship expo and business summit 2019 which gave about 200 fledgling entrepreneurs a chance to exhibit their products to the consumers.
The Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO), in partnership with non- profit organisation The Entrepreneurship Network (TEN), today wind up the fourth annual entrepreneurship expo and business summit 2019 which gave about 200 fledgling entrepreneurs a chance to exhibit their products to the consumers.
Since kicking off on Monday, the expo gave entrepreneurs a platform to discuss economic issues, and create a ‘safe space’ for them. The goal of the expo is to showcase aspiring entrepreneurs and investors from across the African region to creating new opportunities for investments, partnerships, and collaborations.
TEN managing director Thabo Monyamane said there are products worth M10billion being shipped into the country every year, so entrepreneurs should try fill in that gap by producing more local goods. He said if they focused more on filling in the gaps that Lesotho needs and produce more local products the county will go far economically.
He indicated that this year focus was more on teaching and having discussions with entrepreneurs in manufacturing, technology, agriculture and tourism as they are the main economic hubs of the country.
He explained that each year has its own theme and this year’s theme is ‘Developing Sustainable Value Chains’.
“All these brands here today, including banks, supporting us shows that they believe in your businesses and they want you and your businesses to grow. They see potential in you otherwise they would not spend their time and money on you. In the near future some of your businesses will be big in the country and it will be you sponsoring events like this and being partners,” he told the participants.
The chief executive officer of BEDCO, Pesha Shale, also indicated that it is BEDCO’s mandate to grow small businesses and so far they think they are getting there. He said each year, seeing some of the business that started small growing into something bigger that has a potential to employ many Basotho is a big achievement.
He said the expo week coincides with the global entrepreneur week and they make sure they partner with organisations like TEN which know more about entrepreneurs and will be in a position to help them achieve more.
“We cannot only be entrepreneurs; we need to make sure that we acquire education as well. As much as we encourage people to open their own businesses, we would like to also encourage them to get an education because through education you will be able to acquire more business information,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the entrepreneurs who took part in the expo, Selemo Koeshane, hailed the opportunity to showcase their products, saying exposure was hard to come by because he works from home.
“I sell the yarn bags and every time I post them on social media people do show interest in them. However, getting wider exposure is a challenge as I do not have a stall or a shop; so it is quite a big deal being here and seeing people marveling at my work and some buying what I have to offer,” Koeshane said.
The Basotho Enterprises Development Corporation (BEDCO), in partnership with non- profit organisation The Entrepreneurship Network (TEN), today wind up the fourth annual entrepreneurship expo and business summit 2019 which gave about 200 fledgling entrepreneurs a chance to exhibit their products to the consumers.
Since kicking off on Monday, the expo gave entrepreneurs a platform to discuss economic issues, and create a ‘safe space’ for them. The goal of the expo is to showcase aspiring entrepreneurs and investors from across the African region to creating new opportunities for investments, partnerships, and collaborations.
TEN managing director Thabo Monyamane said there are products worth M10billion being shipped into the country every year, so entrepreneurs should try fill in that gap by producing more local goods. He said if they focused more on filling in the gaps that Lesotho needs and produce more local products the county will go far economically.
He indicated that this year focus was more on teaching and having discussions with entrepreneurs in manufacturing, technology, agriculture and tourism as they are the main economic hubs of the country.
He explained that each year has its own theme and this year’s theme is ‘Developing Sustainable Value Chains’.
“All these brands here today, including banks, supporting us shows that they believe in your businesses and they want you and your businesses to grow. They see potential in you otherwise they would not spend their time and money on you. In the near future some of your businesses will be big in the country and it will be you sponsoring events like this and being partners,” he told the participants.
The chief executive officer of BEDCO, Pesha Shale, also indicated that it is BEDCO’s mandate to grow small businesses and so far they think they are getting there. He said each year, seeing some of the business that started small growing into something bigger that has a potential to employ many Basotho is a big achievement.
He said the expo week coincides with the global entrepreneur week and they make sure they partner with organisations like TEN which know more about entrepreneurs and will be in a position to help them achieve more.
“We cannot only be entrepreneurs; we need to make sure that we acquire education as well. As much as we encourage people to open their own businesses, we would like to also encourage them to get an education because through education you will be able to acquire more business information,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of the entrepreneurs who took part in the expo, Selemo Koeshane, hailed the opportunity to showcase their products, saying exposure was hard to come by because he works from home.
“I sell the yarn bags and every time I post them on social media people do show interest in them. However, getting wider exposure is a challenge as I do not have a stall or a shop; so it is quite a big deal being here and seeing people marveling at my work and some buying what I have to offer,” Koeshane said.
