FACTORS AFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN MICRO ...

Micro Enterprises are those small business enterprises with a paid-up capital of not
exceeding Birr 20 000, and excluding high technical consultancy firms and other high
tech establishments.
Small Enterprises are those business enterprises with a paid-up capital of above 20,000
and not exceeding Birr 50 000, -- and excluding high technical consultancy firms and
other high tech establishments.
The Micro and Small Enterprises Sector is described as the national homes of
entrepreneurship. It provides the ideal: environment enabling entrepreneurs to exercise
their talents to the full and to attain their goals. In comparison with other countries it is
known that in all the successful economies, MSEs are seen as a springboard for growth,
job creation and social progress at large.
Women entrepreneurs development in MSEs: difficulties and
problems
Schorling (2006) study shows that in Ethiopia's situation MSEs are confronted by various
problems, which are of structural, institutional and economic in nature. Lack of Capital,
market and working premises, marketing problems, shortage of supply of raw materials
and lack of qualified Human resources are the most pressing problems facing MSEs.
Although the economic policy of Ethiopia paid due emphasis for entrepreneurship values
and appreciation of the sector's contribution to the economy, there are still constraints
related to infrastructure, credit, working premises, extension service, consultancy,
information provision, prototype development, imbalance preferential treatment and
many others, which therefore need proper attention and improvement.
According to GTZ as sited in http://www.bds-ethiopia.net/approach-tvet.html , women
entrepreneurs in MSEs in Ethiopia are faced with a number of challenges. The following
can be cited as the main ones.
• Limited and for some complete lack of access to funds
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