Monrovia – More than 15 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have benefited from a three-day training aimed at building their capacity to improve their businesses to meet international standards.
By Siaway T. Miapue, Contributing Writer
The training was organized by the Liberia Netherlands Business and Culture Council (LNBCC) sponsored by the Dutch Enterprise Organization (RVO) and implemented by Entrepreneurship Inc. and the Corporate Resource Specialists International (CRSI).
According to LNBCC’s Project Officer, Tracy Kollie, the organization was established to strengthen the economic relationship of Liberia with the Netherlands; and in the process, educating small business owners to have a clear structure for their business by developing business plans, and visibility on the internet to make them interesting Investors
Madam Kollie also noted that LNBCC is engaging partners for better business opportunities in the areas of exports, imports, business services, tourism and investments between business and professional people of Liberia and the Netherlands.
She said the three-day training was meant to prepare entrepreneurs in Liberia to meet the criteria of business in the Netherlands as a mean of promoting trade between the two countries.
She revealed that studies conducted by LNBCC showed that businesses in Liberia have not met the Criteria of Dutch businesses, hence the reasons behind the workshop.
“Dutch businesses have certain criteria and from the look of things in Liberia, we realize that the businesses here do not meet the criteria of businesses in the Netherlands; and so based on our studies we decided to have this workshop for those business in Liberia” she said.
She then called on participants to revisit their business plans and include what they have learned for better improvement in their investment.
“I expect that with the three-day intensive training, they are going to go back to their drawing board and improve their businesses in order for them to be ready for international businesses,” she added.
Meanwhile, the training, held at the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) in Central Monrovia attracted 15 participants, who in separate remarks, lauded LNBCC for the knowledge acquired.
The General Manager of Green Gold Liberia, Morris Dougba, promised to implement what they have learned. Mr. Dougba also recommended to the LNBCC to assist SME in other components of business organization, adding that to be a successful entrepreneur there is a need for proper understanding of the business.
Also speaking, the CEO of LeeLee Farm in Margibi County, Comfort Mansah said the training was helpful as it will assist her in creating more business strategies among others.
Madam Mansah said she is going to also assist her co-workers in passing over the lessons learned.