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Banks asked to extend soft loans to women entreprenuers
2008-02-11 09:00:36
By Michael Haonga
Women entrepreneurs have requested commercial banks to offer soft loans to help boost their performance towards economic development and growth.
Speaking at a special-business training programme for women SMEs organized by BOA Bank over the weekend in Dar es Salaam, women entrepreneurs asked commercial banks to review their lending conditions to take into account women entrepreneurs.
The proposed review process, they urged, would enable women SMEs access loans and other credits facilities to reduce the vicious circle of poverty.
The seminar aimed at empowering women with business skills including how to access loans and capital, drafting business plan, and professional ways of running their businesses profitably.
``We thank BOA Bank for placing women entrepreneurs on their priority in loan portifolio. It\'s a significant step towards realization of women economic empowerment that addresses increased poverty in our country,`` said Zeluria Maneno, on behalf of her colleagues.
BOA Bank\'s Managing Director, Kobby Andah, said his bank was ready and determined to exhaustively utilize part of its resources for corporate and social responsibility tasks.
``We are obliged to support society where we operate and earn profit. We have a role to play and contribute to community development since the bank is part of the same community,``he said.
The bank, Andah added, recognized impressive efforts made by women entrepreneurs in their struggle against abject poverty despite their vulnerability and long-standing marginalization perpetuated by patriarchy systems.
``That is why the bank is now out and willing to assist them improve their business activities. World-wide, women are given special consideration and respect because of their reproductive role in bringing up members of society,`` he added.
He pledged BOA Bank continued support towards development of women entrepreneurs through appropriate business training and other incentives.
BOA Airport Branch Manager, Litty Kisuda, described women SMEs as a driving force and key player in the country\'s development initiatives, that need to be empowered with professional business skills.
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