The National Board for Small Scale Industries (NBSSI) has launched an incubator programme in partnership with the Strategies to Promote Innovative Networks (SPINnet)—Garment and Textiles Cluster to groom and accelerate entrepreneurs and small-scale businesses in the garments and textiles sector.
The NBSSI/SPINnet Incubator Programme will train existing and potential start-ups in the sector on compliance standards; provide mentorship and financial support as well as market access, in line with government’s quest to create more jobs for the youth.
About 100 entrepreneurs in the garment and textile industry will be enrolled onto the take-off rogramme.
Deputy Trade and Industry Minister Robert Ahomka-Lindsay, who launched the initiative, emphasised that the programme will empower businesses in the garment and textile sectors to be globally competitive.
He said the garments and textiles industry is an important economic area in terms of employment generation and poverty reduction with huge potential for foreign exchange earnings in the non-traditional exports sub-sector when given the needed push.
He stressed: “This is an opportunity for the youth—including service personnel and tertiary students with interest in the sector—to learn entrepreneurial skills in the garment and textile sector through this programme.
“Such micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are key to national development efforts looking at their contribution to the country’s GDP.”
Chief Executive Officer of the NBSSI, Ms. Kosi Yankey, indicated that the initiative will enhance her outfit’s role as a key player in the promotion of garments and textiles business in the country.
She added: “This is a welcome initiative considering the dynamics of the garment and textile industry.
“It will serve as a source of livelihood for sector actors as well as help to sustain the garment and textile cluster of the SPINnet.”
President of SPINnet, Samuel Dodoo, commended the strong relations that exist between his outfit and the NBSSI which have led to birth of the incubator programme, and also touched on the benefits to be derived from the initiative.
“Through this innovation, the garments and textiles industry will play a key role in the nation’s development through the exports of finished products,” he said.
The NBSSI/SPINnet Incubator Programme is in two phases: firstly, the Garments and Textile Training Lab (GTTL), sited at the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC), will train and equip groups of small enterprises to execute subcontracts efficiently and also for employment of both SMEs and larger companies.
Secondly, the NBSSI will focus on business development support training for the programme beneficiaries through ideation, entrepreneurship as well as finance and market access.
By Patrick Paintsil l thebftonline.com l Ghana
