The second phase of the competitions of entrepreneurship and business plan writing skills that will see some 100 candidates secure business start up capital will begin in March.

The programme that is organised by the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in partnership with the Embassy of the Royal Kingdom of Netherlands aims at boosting private sector growth through building entrepreneurs’ capacity.

Speaking to Business Times, Emmanuel Hategeka, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PSF said that this year’s competition will also involve more training skills.

"We want to have enough time so that by November 2010 we will have selected the best 100 candidates,” said Hategeka. 

Hategeka further revealed that after a stiff competition, each of the 100 candidates chosen from the 160 finalists will receive Rwf9m in foam of a loan.

The programme, which has been running since 2005, also ensures that a fair gender distribution amongst the short-listed applicants.

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