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JK launches 3Bs business plan competition today
2007-06-12 09:35:24
By Pascal Shao
President Jakaya Kikwete is today expected to launch a business plan competition (BPC), known as `Believe, Begin and Become` in Dar es Salaam.
A consultant with Techno Serve, Ginger Baker told The Guardian that the competition would, among other things identify entrepreneurial men and women in the country.
``The competition will further equip them with tools and networks necessary to build competitive, sustainable, small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It will also accelerate economic growth and reduce poverty,`` Baker said.
The applications due to kick online today would be accepted by Techno Serve offices in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Mbeya. Further applications are would expected to come from Mbinga, Mtwara, Mufindi and Songea.
According to Baker, BPC would solicit innovative business ideas and provide training mentoring and business development assistance to promising entrepreneurs.
``More than 400 entrants are expected. The most promising 250 applicants will be invited to attend a seminar on business plan development,`` she said.
Sixty of the submissions would be selected to advance to a seven-week intensive business development training.
They would also get a special one-on-one consulting sessions with industry experts who would help applicants prepare comprehensive draft business plans.
Ten winners would receive seed capital ranging between USD8, 000 and 20,000 to help start or expand their enterprises.
The top twenty finalists would each receive after care business development services worth USD10, 000 to enable them turn their business plans into self sustaining and profitable ventures.
The PBC is funded by Google.org and designed, managed and executed by Techno Serve.
Techno Serve is an organisation that supports entrepreneurs to create viable and sustainable businesses within competitive industries in developing countries.
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