Page 21 - Noble Magazine • July-August 2020

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Proportion of loans by sector Loans by Institutions

Assistance to SMMEs forfeit their sitting allowances for the cropping plan to facilitate import
Operating In LEA Incubators 2020/21 financial year. substitution.

Rental holidays of between three (3) FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES • Small-Stock Training and
and six (6) months have been extended Production Incubator
to Twenty-four (24) SMMEs operating Whilst COVID-19 has wreaked havoc The small stock incubator is planned
at the LEA Incubators who have been in the economy, it has also provided for Ghanzi, and will provide training
adversely impacted by COVID-19. an opportunity for enterprises with production to small stock
This will assist in protecting jobs and to adapt, innovate and exploit potential farmers. Graduates from
expediting business recovery post new opportunities. Thirteen (13) the incubator will be supported
COVID-19 related restrictions. enterprises have been identified for to set up commercial small stock
assistance with scaling up to compete production businesses across the
Donation Towards COVID-19 sustainably in the production of country. Furthermore, LEA plays a
Fund medical consumables and personal role at the Lobu small stock farm,
Through the Glen Valley Horticulture hygiene products. This support will and will support farmers through
Incubator LEA has donated 170kg of also be extended to enterprises that virtual incubation to ensure business
tomatoes to the Government COVID-19 provide goods and services that are growth.
Relief fund, to be used at health facilities imported in large quantities, and will
and other Government institutions. be supported through the following HARNESSING ICT
The farm continues to produce, and projects.
supplies retail stores in Gaborone It is imperative for enterprises to trade
to alleviate shortages of vegetables. • Horticulture Promotion through digital channels in order to
LEA has partnered with BIUST to Projects remain relevant in the 4IR. LEA is
manufacture soap and liquid detergent Plans are at an advanced stage, working towards availing access to
as contribution towards the fight againt and partners have been identified online resources tailored towards
Corona virus. 5000 bar soaps and to develop the horticulture sector building SMMEs capabilities, with
4000 (750ml) bottles have already at strategic locations across the focus on business continuity, to assist
been donated to the Government to county, through provision of with business recovery. On the overall,
distribute amongst communities in the infrastructure and expertise that in order to leapfrog and leverage on
Central region. will enable the farmers to produce ICT as a business enabler, we have
various crops for the local and partnered with stakeholder institutions
Also, the LEA Executive and Senior export market. Three locations to collectively explore value chain
Management have contributed 10% have been identified for this opportunities for digitization and
of their basic salary for three (3) purpose and clients with potential online trading platforms for producers
months to the COVID 19 Relief Fund. to scale up are being considered to link with the retailers and other
Additionally, the LEA Board Chairman to occupy the land. LEA will use a sources of markets. The plan is to pilot
and Vice Chairman have offered to cluster model and coordinate the with the horticultural produce.

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