Business awareness workshop offered to Tibetan entrepreneurs

Thursday, 30 August 2007, 11:34 a.m.

Introduction to Microfinance class by Department staff Lobsang in progress for the people of Mainpat

Dharamshala: The Research and Policy unit of the Department of Finance organized a month-long awareness program on business awareness campaign and focus group meeting, held in Tibetan settlements of Mainpat, Ravangla, and Gangtok, from 9 -29 July.

The main objective of the tour was to provide guidance on banking, common business practices, and to offer consultancy services on various business issues.

Resource persons from various district and state level institutions like District Industries Center, Industrial Development and Investment Co-operative, Sikkim Chamber of Commerce, etc. They provide first hand information on various central and state level subsidies, supports available for setting up small-scale industries, opportunities resulting from rapid developments taking place around them.

Inspector, District Industries Centre, Namchi Division, Mrs. Choedon Kazini speaking about the opportunities and government subsidies available to the people of Ravangla settlement.

The program also attained its objective of understanding different problems faced by our entrepreneurs in an attempt to merge their businesses into mainstream business line. It was brought to our attention that there was no clear direction available for our people on what kind of business activities could be carried with our R.C (Residential Certificate); making it difficult to understand their Rights.

The focused group meeting highlighted the problems faced by young business aspirants in availing capital from banks due to unavailability of mortgage causing them to get trapped into informal sector of small petty retailing or selling garments provided on credit by Lalas (Owners) of the garment producers in Punjab state. The co-operative societies in the settlement provides loan primarily to fulfill the agro base needs.

General Manager Babu la, Assistant Director K Lepcha, Gangtok District Industries Centre, and Head of Research unit Lobsang Dawa speaking to Gangtok Tibetan residents.

Understanding the problems of entrepreneurs, providing guidance, and generating awareness amongst youngster was the first phase of this program.

Later this year, the Department also plans to provide Entrepreneur Development Trainings to a selected group of people, especially youth, to create new entrepreneurs and strengthening current entrepreneurs.

–Report filed by the Research and Policy Unit, Department of Finance