TANZANIA: MOROCCAN and French Ambassadors to Tanzania, Mr Zakaria El Goumiri and Nabil Hajlaoui, respectively, underlined the capacities of women and their contributions to economic growth.
In their speeches at women entrepreneurship exhibition held at the embassy of Morocco to mark the International Women’s Day over the weekend, they said the day was important for celebrating women significant achievements.
It was the second exhibition of women exhibition organised by the embassy whereby this year 50 women displayed their products. Ambassador El Goumiri noted that the day was to celebrate their valuable efforts and contribution towards economic growth.
“The day serves as reminder for gender equality struggle and building more equitable society, we should support women entrepreneurs,” he stated.
On his part, France Ambassador Hajlaoui said the embassy cannot implement single project without gender equality in it. “So, through this we send message to our partners that we believe in girls and women as much as men,” he said.
He said France has been supporting women entrepreneurs at different levels in the country and other sectors it works with women and empower them to hold leadership positions.
“We believe that Tanzania is very inventive, creative and front runner in supporting woman, that is why the clean cooking energy is an amazing initiative, which President Samia Suluhu has launched and we are going to explain to the world it is important to make women and men access to clean cooking energy,” the ambassador stated.
He argued that the initiative would allow more women to dedicate their time to businesses.
“We real share these values with Tanzanians. We believe that Tanzania is front runner in this sector. The clean cooking energy initiative which Samia has launched is very important,” he stressed.
Ms Beng’i Issa, Executive Secretary of National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC), who officiated at the event, acknowledged that women face challenges in accessing capital.
“We, therefore, encourage women to access capital through groups. Currently Tanzania has five million Small and Medim Enterprises (SMEs), of which 55 per cent are run by women entrepreneurs,” Ms Issa shared.
However, she underscored the need for older women to also have skills on applying technologies in their businesses, noting that mostly young women utilise such technologies.
On his part, Chairperson of the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC), Ms Mercy Sil, argued that for women showcasing their products serve as testimony of their abilities. “Use such platforms to build networks and share experiences.
I thank President Samia for empowering women and creating friendly environment for women, specifically for women entrepreneurs. This encourages women to do business,” she stated.
Mr Hilary Pato, country manager of OCP Africa, a Moroccan company in Tanzania, noted that women, if given opportunity can do best. “The future is so brighter for the women. President Samia has done great things as woman, Tanzania is moving in a right direction,” he added.
