Belmopan, May 8, 2023.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) today held an award ceremony for the winners of the MSME Women Economic Empowerment Competition: WOMEN WHO BOSS. The competition was held under the “Enhancing the Economic Empowerment of Women in Latin America and the Caribbean in the COVID-19 Post-Pandemic Era: Technical Assistance for Women Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Inclusion” project.
The competition was open to women entrepreneurs who participated in the project’s capacity-building programs or vocational training. Participants were able to apply their newly acquired skills as they pitched start-ups and current business plans to a panel of judges who assessed their investment plans. H.E. Mrs. Rossana Briceño, Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children; Ambassador Amalia Mai, CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; Mrs. Tanya Santos and Mr. Marconi Leal, Jr., CEOs in the Ministry of Human Development, Families and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs; and H.E. Lily Li-Wen Hsu, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), awarded the five winners with modest investment funds that will aid in their business development.
Winners of the “Women Who Boss” competition winners are:
First place – Katia Montenegro Hoare, MonTrans Consulting
Second place – Nicolyn C. Raymond, Inner Peace Financials
Third place – Yssenia Guerra, Yessi’s Cuisine
Fourth place – Candice Wade, Chuc’s Delight
Fifth place – Denese Enriquez and Jennifer Arzu-Williams, Barauda’s Secret
Thus far, the project has benefited over 600 women and youth, empowering them in the post-pandemic recovery. BZ$95,000 in investment funds have been disbursed to those who have succeeded in three competitions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), along with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF), are committed to the continuation of the project to extend its reach to all areas of Belize.
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