The third phase of sensitisation of Business Plan Competition (BPC) programme has ended. And, contestants have until Saturday 15th September to submit entry forms together with their business plans. Sensitisation was done in most of the high institutions of learning in Rwanda and all districts across the country through Business Development Service (BDS) centers. The Entrepreneurship Development Manager, Antoine Manzi said the next phase after the 15th September deadline, a one-week scrutinizing process will begin after which will be inputting submitted business plan details in a database. “Some interns have been hired to do this,” said Mr. Manzi. He added: “Assessment of business plan will then follow, after which seventy (70) selected project owners will benefit from one-week training.” An MoU exists between PSF and Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) to jointly conduct all procedures of BPC programme. A guarantee fund amounting to $500,000 has been deposited by World Bank through its Competitiveness and Enterprise Development Programme (CEDP), for winners to access long-term funding in BRD of their respective projects. Mr. Manzi says by January next year, the partners; BRD, PSF and CEDP should be ready to announce the overall winners. Details about the program can be obtained from BPC office at PSF Headquarters, Gikondo. Ends
