SME awards on tonight

THE annual Sam Nujoma Innovative Entrepreneurs Award (SNIEA) will be held tonight to honour this year’s deserving operators from the small and medium-sized enterprise sector.

The competition is in its ninth year and is organised by the Joint Consultative Council (JCC) to reward SMEs with exceptional innovative ideas. The competition focuses on two main categories of bright ideas and existing businesses, which are subdivided under trade and service, manufacturing, youth and women in business.This year will also see an additional category for SMEs or individuals who have developed an HIV-AIDS workplace programme.Winners in each category will receive a N$5 000 cash prize and a business support package worth N$15 000.They will also get free advertising in selected media.Criteria used for judging entries included innovativeness, employment creation, entrepreneurship, environmental friendliness and contribution to social advancement.The competition focuses on two main categories of bright ideas and existing businesses, which are subdivided under trade and service, manufacturing, youth and women in business.This year will also see an additional category for SMEs or individuals who have developed an HIV-AIDS workplace programme.Winners in each category will receive a N$5 000 cash prize and a business support package worth N$15 000.They will also get free advertising in selected media.Criteria used for judging entries included innovativeness, employment creation, entrepreneurship, environmental friendliness and contribution to social advancement.