AGFUND BIP-Sierra Leone a pro-poor micro finance bank has disclosed to Awoko Business in Freetown that since it commenced operations in the Country BIP has “successfully” funded the development of 447 micro enterprises.
Speaking to Awoko Business yesterday Ayman AlBarawi General Manager BIP said AGFUND BIP believes that Micro enterprise is an important engine for economic growth and social welfare development in the country.
AlBarawi stated that from his personal observations “there are a lot of poor in sierra Leone” who are “willing to improve their lives”. BIP he disclosed apart from micro loans would support them with business training and continous advices on how to manage their businesses.
“in this short period of time, I am proud of our clients who have demonstrated that they are willing to improve themselves and to develop their microenterprises as evident in the improvement they have made in their lives, their capacity and the indirect effect on society ” ALbarawi said. “ Our follow up field visits reveal positive visible effects of our advices and loans” he added.
Mr. AlBarawi also acknowledged Help-SL (Integrated Youth Employment Creation IYEC) for what he described as the organizations “outstanding contribution to the empowerment of youths in Sierra Leone through entrepreneurship and job creation opportunity”.
He also congratulated Help-SL on being selected as winner of AGFUND,s second prize for 2011 which totaled USD150,000,00. He also extended felicitations on behalf of Mr. Nasser El Kahtani the Executive Director of AGFUND to H.E President Ernest Koroma, also congratulating him on “the achievement of Help-SL” which he said “proves” the great interest and care GOSL under President Koroma “gives to development efforts in general and human development in particular”.
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