Businesswomen urged to invest in ICTs

Markets
ZIMBABWE Women in Trade and Development (Zwitad) says women in business should invest in new information technologies in order to remain relevant in the global economy.

ZIMBABWE Women in Trade and Development (Zwitad) says women in business should invest in new information technologies in order to remain relevant in the global economy.

MTHANDAZO NYONI/ NONHLANHLA SIBANDA

Addressing delegates at a local hotel last week in Bulawayo, E-Bright marketing officer Roy Magadhi said women should take advantages posed by new information technologies to meet international business trends.

E-Bright marketing officer Roy Magadhi
E-Bright marketing officer Roy Magadhi

“It is important for women in business to learn how to use the computer for market research and to keep up with international trends. Internet is available 24/7 and it bridges time disparities therefore ensuring that there is a smooth running of business,” Magadhi said.

“Women in business must grow from small and medium enterprises to becoming established co-operate entities and we must never be content with hand to mouth businesses but aim higher.”

He added that new information technology will equip women with global competitiveness skill.

Zwitad is a non-profit making organisation which was founded in 2007. Currently, it has a total membership of 4 060 in provinces in the country.

It provides resource centres in each province where women are trained on how to run profitable businesses in their chosen areas.

The organisation bemoaned challenges of paying back loans due to high interest rates, short-term loans and misuse of funds.

Banks reportedly stopped assistance as members still owed monies.

In March Zwitad engaged E-Bright for advertising and business development of organisations to help assist women who are struggling to set their business through hosting of IT skills development seminars and helping women to achieve total control of their business and increasing their confidence.

The organisation also revealed that E-Bright had started site visits to Zwitad members around the country to assess businesses being run by women and finding ways of helping women in business. Women have a problem of accessing loans to open new businesses as well as strengthening existing ones.

Most women in business are concentrating on businesses that require little capitalisation such as food industries mainly in the form of shops, restaurants and coffee shops.