AMHARA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS ASSOCIATION AWEA

1. AMHARA WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS� ASSOCIATION (AWEA) Vision Amhara Women Entrepreneur's Association aspires to see women entrepreneurs that are economically competent, socially responsible and environmentally conscious and are committed to grow in excellence.

2. AWEA� Mission Assist women entrepreneurs to improve their economic situation; Assist members to generate new business ideas; Assist women to engage in productive, sustainable businesses; Assist entrepreneurs to solve their business problems; Enhance members� business management skills; Provide support that will enable women entrepreneurs to improve their profitability; Facilitate members' procurement of workspace; Facilitate access and expansion to domestic and export markets; Provide information and facilitate access to credit and finance; Introduce tax laws and other business policies relevant to women entrepreneurs; Conduct research, provide information for product development; Arrange experience sharing tours and business visits.

3. ESTABLISHMENT of AWEA Legally established in 1999 and licensed in 2000 The initial membership of AWEA consisted of sixty women entrepreneurs with seven representatives who were physically located throughout the Amhara region Members were faced with poor communication services, unreliable transportation and other complications barring their ability to meet There was lack of leadership, financial and other organizational support In February 2003,in an effort to rejuvenate AWEA a group of women and the head of MOTI women affairs department held a meeting in Bahir Dar and invited the original sixty members of AWEA and women entrepreneurs from Bahir Dar In an attempt to re-establish the Association, the entrepreneurs elected their leaders (executive committee members) from Bahir Dar This facilitated the ability of the members to meet monthly and plan activities.

4. Technical and Financial supports to AWEA are from: ILO/WEDGE Programme GTZ-MSE Development Project EU-MSE Development Project Support Unit SIDA Amhara Micro & Small Enterprises and Industry Development Bureau Ethiopian and Bahir Dar Chambers of Commerce

5. The Impacts Of Business Development Services (BDS) on AWEAS' members Members managed to keep income and expense records after getting business development service Members were able to handle and solve their problems by their own Now, members are volunteers for taking business development services Increased interest about different kind of training like record keeping& skill trainings They give attention to displaying and promoting their products for purchaser Number of members has increased due better services Every member has an interest to get business development service The contact between members and AWEA improved and AWEA is providing information on BDS at increased rate.

6. Business Development Services Given by AWEA to its Members Facilitation of trade fair events Facilitation of workshops, business skill and management training Advisory services Facilitation of market premises Preparation of business plans Information delivery and facilitation of access to credit and finance institutions

7. Current Status of AWEA It has become a member-driven association It has well-organized and furnished office It has 7 full-time staff It has computers, fax and photocopying machines It has 2,600-3,000 paying members It has competent executive committee It organizes seasonal trade fares It undertakes income generating activities such as secretarial and photocopy services It has branch offices in 4 cities.