Exim bank fulfils pledge to Mbeya Sido market fire victims

The Exim Bank Mbeya Branch Manager Geoffrey Kitundu (left) hands over a dummy cheque worth 13,350,000/- to the Mbeya District Commissioner Evance Balama being support to women whose property perished during the SIDO market fire accident last year. Centre is the SIDO market Chairman Wilson Mwakisilwa.

BY BUSINESS REPORTER

EXIM Bank Tanzania through its Mbeya branch has handed over 13.3m/- to support women entrepreneurs who suffered losses when Sido market caught fire last year.

The Exim Bank, Mbaya Branch Manager Geoffrey Kitundu during the handover ceremony yesterday said the funds will help fire victims especially women to sustain their businesses.

“We were extremely touched with the sad news of the accident. Being a partner, we thought of several ways on how we can help out.

 “Today, we handover 13.3m/- to support small women entrepreneurs who lost their property when the tragedy happened. The support will help the beneficiaries lead a more meaningful life,” he said.

Kitundu said his bank has a special women empowerment programme basing on the reality that women are instrumental in any country’s economic development.

The Mbeya District Commissioner Evans Balama who officiated at the event thanked the bank for the timely support and called upon the beneficiaries to use the funds for business purposes not otherwise.

 “I came to console fire victims immediately I received news of the tragedy in December last year. During my visit, I met officials from Exim bank who pledged to support.

“Am so grateful that the bank has been able to fulfill its pledge today. My call to the beneficiaries is too use these funds for only business purposes not otherwise,” he said.

Balama called upon the beneficiaries to secure loans from financial institutions and cautioned them to develop a saving culture.

 “Do not be afraid to go to banks and ask for loans. The more you easily payback the loans, the more easily you can secure another loan. My advice is to ensure that you use such loans for only intended purposes,” he said.

Some of the SIDO market fire victims display a dummy cheque worth 13,350,000/- handed to them by Exim Bank Tanzania’s Mbeya Branch Manager Geoffrey Kitundu as consolation. Looking on (in grey suit) is the Mbeya District Commissioner Evance Balama.