SIDO reaches traders with value adding skills

ENTERPEENEURS in the three districts of Kibiti, Rufiji and Mkuranga in Coast Region, have continued to benefit from Small Industries Development Organisation’s project of adding value to their products.

Leading the project with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 27m/- funds for training, Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO) Regional Manager Ms Beata Minga said they visited some 26 small and medium entrepreneurs in the districts and educated them on new skills aimed at sustaining them in business.

Elaborating, she added: “This project was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) releasing some 27m/- for the trainings and our office worked in collaboration with the District Councils in the respective areas to facilitate the people acquiring new technologies so that they expand also in business.

“We were guided by Coast Region Investment Guide in implementing this project bearing in mind that the region harvests about 8 tonnes of honey annually and that benefits a lot the three districts”, further said Ms Minga.

She noted that the project was also aimed at educating the entrepreneurs that honey and other bees’ products like wax have multipurpose uses when mixed with their various products.

“Entrepreneurs were taught how to make eight different types of products including shower gels, hair oils and body lotions. Currently, SIDO regional office is linking the entrepreneurs with the markets and enabling them to participate in different business exhibitions as one way of advertising their products and expanding market.

“Equally, the entrepreneurs were assisted to formalize their businesses through Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA), Local Government Authorities as well as securing funds for sustenance,” she pointed out.

Reached for a comment, Mr. Heri Mtanga one of the participants of the project said: “The project has a lot of benefits not only to us as entrepreneurs but also to the region as a whole, because the skills are shared and expanding to other areas.”