A fourth group of women trained in entrepreneurship under the Goldman Sachs programme graduated on Wednesday at the School of Finance and Banking (SFB).

The women with the best business plans receive awards on top of certificates. Four business plans were awarded $2,500 each.

The entrepreneurship certificate programme is one of the initiatives supported by Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm.

The company plans to assist 10,000 women acquire entrepreneurial skills around the globe.

The programme runs for a period of six months and is executed in collaboration with SFB and the William Davidson Institute (WDI) based at Michigan, USA.

Speaking at the ceremony the Minister of Trade and Industry, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, extolled the programme and said that it is in line with the government’s vision.

"The vision of our country is to have an economy based on entrepreneurs like you,” Nsanzabaganwa told the women.

She thanked them for having the zeal to acquire skills so that they are able to run their businesses on an informed point of view.

"The economy of our country has been and is still relying predominantly on agriculture, but we need technology-driven agriculture to add more value for better production,” she said adding that by doing so; people will be able to save time to do other things.

In his speech, the SFB Rector, Dr. Reid E. Whitlock, thanked the women for breaking the ground for others by joining the programme to upgrade their skills.

He also thanked them for being able to overcome language and technological hurdles so they can complete the course.
A total of 120 women have been able to complete under the programme since it began two years ago.

The women are taught how to come up with feasible business plans that can help them acquire bank loans and upgrade their businesses, book keeping and how to market their products are among other skills they acquire.

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