THE Minister of Small Business, Development, Cooperatives and Marketing Keketso Sello has urged the local business community to work hard towards developing its businesses through his ministry.

This, he said when addressing business owners from various sectors during a meeting that was held on Thursday in Hlotse, Leribe.

Mr Sello appealed to the entrepreneurs to show improvement in their endeavours, adding that remaining on the same level without any development is indeed demoralising.
It is high time the business community approached the ministry he noted, to among others discuss issues pertaining to business development and implementation.
“We are working hard in the ministry to ensure that we become independent so that some of the services which are being offered at the Ministry of Trade and Industry but which should in fact be offered here actually move to our ministry,” Mr Sello said.

In addition, he said they are working on amendments which will allow them to finally be independent like they wish.
He applauded staff at the ministry for working hard to ensure that all the business community’s basic needs are met efficiently and on time.

He ordered personnel under his command to utilise the media as much as they possibly can for proper and prompt communication on trade related matters.

Echoing similar sentiments, the ministry’s Principal Secretary Tankiso Phapano said it is important for the business people to register under local business associations in order to address their issues collectively.
He said there is a COVID-19 Relief Fund which will be disbursed to local businesses to address issues caused by the pandemic.

“The ministry will immediately start working on some of the issues that you have raised and make decisions on others soon,” Mr Phapano pledged.