A national initiative will promote the micro-enterprises of 3,000 women victims of the conflict

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism presented the initiative “Mujeres Más Productivas: an alliance for traders of the popular economy”, which aims to stimulate the growth of micro-enterprisesespecially local shops run by women victims of the conflict.

The project that was launched on International Women’s Day (March 8, 2023) is an initiative carried out by the National Entity through Colombia Productiva, in collaboration with Bavaria and Fenalco, which aims to increase the productivity and incomes of women victims of the conflict through specific training.

The National Entity of Commerce, Industry and Tourism explained that “Mujeres Más Productivas” is a joint effort between the private and public sectors, which will contribute to the process empowerment of these women as agents of change and leaders in their territories, strengthening their commercial capacities to guarantee the efficiency and profitability of their businesses and communities.

The Minister of Trade, Industry and Trade, Germán Umaña, pointed out that the popular and community economy has more than 5.3 million micro-enterprises, many of which are run by traders who are victims of the conflict.

“Whose challenge is to increase their productivity and incomes, in recognition of the contribution they make to their local economies; This is one of the objectives of our Reindustrialization policy. For this reason, together with Colombia Productiva, Bavaria and Fenalco, we are joining forces to create mechanisms that allow more women traders to increase their well-being,” added the portfolio manager.

The ministry said that with “More Productive Women”, businesswomen will develop new skills to organize their store and interact with their customers. In turn, he train women in leadership, They will learn the Simple Tax System and be trained in the use of apps and digital tools to increase sales.

The program will take place in a hybrid, face-to-face and virtual way, during each of the training cycles the traders will enter the platform of coaching online learning containing specialized business and impulse modules.

Women who wish to participate in the program can register on the Colombia Productiva web portal, in the “Mujeres Más Productivas” tab. After that, they will be contacted directly by Fenalco to formalize the registration processcarry out a startup diagnosis and provide training on the digital platform.

Once the beneficiaries of the program have been selected, they will receive information and personalized technical assistance in the modules defined by Bavaria, which are:

• Business building.
• productive assets.
• Digital ownership.
• Tools for female leadership in business.
• Financial inclusion.

At the end of the training, traders will receive a diploma and can begin to apply their knowledge and skills to improve the productivity of their businesses and increase their income.

According to the director general of Colombia Productiva, Aurelio Mejía, he added that increasing the productivity of micro-enterprises has a direct impact on communities.

“Our experience shows us that traders who have received this training have increased their income by an average of 26% and a 25% use of digital tools for your promotion and sales, and also had 12% more access to credit. With ‘More Productive Women’, we will impact the savings capacity of these women, as well as the food, education and health of their families,” added the official.

Finally, Sergio Rincón, President of Bavaria, specified that 60% of stores in Colombia are run or managed by mothers.

“For this reason, through our Emprendedoras Bavaria program, we have worked hand-in-hand with them and a valuable team of allies, reaching 50,000 positively impacted women in terms of financial empowerment,” Rincón explained.