Maseru, June.18—The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Business Development held a meeting in Maseru on Tuesday through which it was raising awareness to the civil society on the opportunities available for them in the Lesotho Economic Growth, Job Creation and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Support Programme.

In his remarks at this meeting, the Deputy Principal Secretary of the ministry Mr. Jobo Rasoko said that the purpose of this meeting is to present before the civil society the opportunities available for them in the programme.

He indicated that this meeting will also look into reflecting on the strategies which can be well implemented throughout the country which can also give them an opportunity to increase their production.

He mentioned that the programme will be focusing on sectors as agro-processing in which will be doe on the basis of how well plants can be utilized to produce cosmetics, herbs and spices and also on light industry through which the focus will be on how well feathers and other light products can be used for production.

On the other hand, the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager at the same ministry, Mr. Ramolise Rantsane while giving an overview of the programme mentioned that it’s a three-year project implemented under the SADC Economic Partnership Agreement which was signed in June 2016.

He revealed that the benefits that Lesotho gets under this agreement through the implementation of this programme include improved markets in the European Union countries, enhancement of economic cooperation, flexible rules of cooperation as well as effectiveness.

Mr. Rantsane further delineated that the programme is funded by the European Union with 6 million Euros and 950 000 Euros from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and will be coordinated by the ministry of Trade, Industry and Business development.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Mary Motebang from German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) said that Lesotho is currently outstanding in the global market only through diamonds therefore this is another opportunity for Basotho to showcase their potential as even the global markets are open.

One of the participants in this meeting, Mrs. ‘Malineo Motsepa applauded the ministry for this initiative saying it is already going to help in the production that they are already engaging in.

She however mentioned that they are hoping for better cooperation with different ministries such as that of local government in terms of land allocation and that of agriculture for skills development and seedlings production.

Production training and skills development are expected to be offered to Basotho who will be nominated for participation in this programme.