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Sithembile Pilime

Brighton Gumbo, Business Reporter
TWENTY Zimbabwean women in business are set to leave the country mid month heading to Netherlands where they will participate in the Brilliant Entrepreneur Programme.

In a statement, ZimTrade said the programme will be held starting from February 14 to 21. The programme aims at creating business linkages for women entrepreneurs, thereby opening doors to new ideas, innovations and markets, among other things.

ZimTrade Chief Executive Officer, Sithembile Pilime, said the participants were drawn from various sectors of the economy such as agriculture and processed foods, horticulture, fashion and design as well as service.

She commended the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Harare and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency for affording Zimbabwe such an opportunity.

“We welcome these synergies. They will assist to unlock our potential. The programme enhances entrepreneurial skills in moulding businesses into innovative, socially responsible, sustainable and profitable enterprises. We, therefore, challenge our women entrepreneurs to fully utilise this opportunity and tap into the expertise at their disposal,” said Pilime.

ZimTrade said the programme will help build on women’s individual talents and offer intensive training, matchmaking as well as technical support in business innovation.

According to the programme coordinators, the development of women entrepreneurs is crucial for a healthy economic and social development.

Women entrepreneurs from Macedonia, Kosovo and Albania are at the moment benefiting from the same programme.

Representation of women at the top in business in Zimbabwe has been on the rise over the years, following the economic empowerment vehicles implemented by the government, which encourage women’s participation in the economy.