Mauritius women entrepreneurs make a substantial contribution to the national economy through their participation in start-ups and their growth in small and medium businesses

Women entrepreneurship is therefore a sector which must be exploited to its full potential through the expansion of existing activities, diversification and enhancement of products.

November 16, 2018 / All Africa

This statement was made yesterday regarding Mauritius women entrepreneurs by the Minister of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, at the opening of a half-day forum for Women Cooperators.  The forum was held at the National Women Development Centre in Phoenix. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Business, Enterprise and Cooperatives and the Mauritius Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative Federation Ltd (MWECF).

In his keynote address, Minister Bholah highlighted the importance of cooperative societies and their contribution in the socio-economic development of Mauritius. On that note, he urged more women to become entrepreneurs adding that Government has put several incentives at the disposal of the population. The incentives are aimed at increasing their business profit and widening their entrepreneurial range through better use of products and facilities.

Mr Bholah underlined that the societies regrouped under it are spread into different sectors namely artisanal, food handling, manufacturing and cultivation of fruits and vegetables. He further highlighted that the Federation benefits from financial and technical assistance through a grant given to them annually by the Ministry to promote capacity building, trainings and forum participation.

The forum coincided with the 11th anniversary of the MWECF. On that occasion, cheques were remitted to six Women Cooperatives for the Capacity Building Project of the Mauritius Women Entrepreneurs Co-operative Federation Ltd.