The Liberian Government’s efforts to tackle the numerous challenges confronting the citizenry, including rural women, owners and operators of Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) continue to yield the needed results.
A case in point was the Monday, September 11, 2023 ceremony, when the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) announced that it has begun the disbursement of USD$2m to rural women across the 15 counties.
The pronouncement was made at the office of the National Rural Women of Liberia along the 72nd Community in Paynesville.
In a brief overview of the program, Deputy Commerce Minister for Administration, Wilfred J.S. Bangura, said President Weah is determined to always identify with needy Liberians in line with national efforts to improve their living conditions.
Mr. Bangura, deputizing for the Minister of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), Mawine Diggs described rural women as important, strong,powerful, etc.
Deputy Minister Bangura said the rural women have the ability to make things happen, and on such basis, the Liberian leader has always assured them of giving the needed support.
He added that the assistance to the rural women will be extended to all the fifteen political sub-divisions of Liberia with each district receiving LRD$1m.
According to him, the essence of the idea, being undertaken by the government through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is to ensure the realization of the vision of the National Rural Women of Liberia.
He also disclosed that other chapters, towns and villages of the rural women will benefit from the empowerment package.
For her part, the President of the National Rural Women of Liberia, Ma Kebbeh Monger, lauded the Liberian Government for the initiative.
Madam Monger and fellow rural women,overwhelmed with joysaid they had no doubt about the Liberian leader fulfilling his promise to them.
“Every time some of our members raised the issue, I told them to be patient because I knew that President Weah was not going to let us down,” she observed.
Madam Monger also hailed the Ministry of Commerce and Industry for its efforts to work in the interest of the country.
Since the process began, disbursements have been made to market women in Margibi County, mainly at the Kakata and Harbel General Markets.
Meanwhile, the Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) announces the commencement of Phase Two of the Small Business Pro-Poor Loan Development Fund (SBPDF).
“The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the sector institution of the Liberian Government that oversees the Small Business Pro-Poor Loan Development Fund wishes to announce the resumption of Phase Two of the loan process and further encourages Liberian owned Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to take advantage of the opportunity.”
All applications were submitted to the Vetting Committee, Small Business Pro Poor Development Fund (SBPDF) Ministry of Commerce, and Industry (MoCI), EJS Ministerial Complex, Congo Town, Monrovia-Liberia from June 8, 2023 to July 8, 2023. The applicants had to meet the below listed criteria:
Be a Liberian owned MSME/MFI/VSLA.
Present a valid Business Registration Certificate.
Present a business plan/proposal.
Present valid Tax Clearance.
Present two recent Passport size photos and or authorized Identity.
Present monthly or yearly records of sales, where applicable.
Present Real Estate Tax Clearance, where applicable.
On September 18, 2018, the Liberian Government, represented by Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) embarked on the Small Business Pro-Poor Loan Development Fund (SBPDF) as a means of tackling the constraints faced by SMEs in accessing funding from banks and other credit institutions.
The initiative is also intended to provide financing opportunities to Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) and Village Saving & Loans Associations (VLSAs). At the top of the Small Business Pro-Poor Loan Development Fund is to enhance fiscal stimulus for a nationwide quick impact project across Liberia, with the view of providing job opportunities, capital formation, and wealth for the under privileged in the society.
It is highly anticipated by the Liberian Government that the initiative will support the Government’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), launched in Ganta City, Nimba County on 27th October 2018.
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