LEAT launches entrepreneurship fund, beneficiaries receive loans

DIMAPUR — The Local Entrepreneurs Association Tuensang (LEAT) held a launching programme for the ‘LEAT entrepreneurship development fund’ on Tuesday at the CBLT resource centre in Tuensang town, with the theme ‘building lives, rebuilding society.’

During the event, five beneficiaries received funds from LEAT, which were handed over by DC Tuensang Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa.

Speaking on the occasion, Chingmak Chang, president of LEAT, said that the fund is not a ‘profit-making venture’ and mentioned that LEAT was founded in 2017.

According to a press release, a separate committee within LEAT has been formed for the fund, and a total of one lakh rupees has been raised among the members.

He shared that the amount collected for the fund is a ‘huge amount for LEAT,’ which will be given as a soft loan of INR 20,000 each to five beneficiaries for a period of one year, and that the vision behind the fund is to build a movement for the town’s local entrepreneurs.

He emphasised that LEAT aims to provide opportunities for bigger dreams, missions, and goals of local entrepreneurs and stated that business should not be viewed as a last option.

Ebesola, president of the Tuensang Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI), cautioned the beneficiaries on the occasion that the fund must be used judiciously, only for business, and added that the recipients’ stories will serve as examples for the local entrepreneurs, making the launch a significant event. She also encouraged them to be passionate, hardworking, and dedicated.

DC Tuensang Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa, lauding the initiative of LEAT and the role it plays for local entrepreneurs, expressed that she is fortunate to be present on the  ‘landmark occasion.’ She noted that the non-local business owners have made Tuensang town a place to come and earn, which shows that there is potential for earning.

“Don’t eat the seeds, eat the fruit,” she said and mentioned the Chakhesang people’s hard work, humility, sincerity, and determination to follow their goals.

During the programme, short speeches were also delivered by Elo Khiamniungan, AE, CAWD, Tuensang, and Küdazo Swüro, EAC, Tuensang.

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