BASOTHO ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (BEDCO) ESTATES CREATES JOB OPPORTUNITIES
	The Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Marketing, Mr. Mohlomi Rantekoa, says estates of the Basotho Enterprise Development Cooperation (BEDCO) serve to create job opportunities for more Basotho with a view to address poverty and unemployment. In an interview, during a tour in Qacha'snek to inspect and find progress at BEDCO building, whose construction started in1999, Mr. Rantekoa said, the government is putting more emphasis on estates of this nature as they are essential backbones to the country's economy. He said, through BEDCO estates it becomes easy for small and medium entrepreneurs to operate in a suitable place, where production will increase, and later be able to offer jobs to more Basotho. Mr Rantekoa, stated that the Building, which is done in three faces for commercial and industrial purpose was estimated to cost M11 million by 1999. He added that due to delays by the contractor, the work, which was scheduled to end in 2000 had to be extended and as a result the estimate cost will increase. The principal secretary indicated that the construction work is done through public funds, adding that this year the Irish Aids provided M1.5 million as funding to be used in phase three. He said, phase one and two that comprises space for shops, offices and workshops are almost complete, and operations are expected to start in June this year. The manufacturers interviewed, have expressed gratitude that operations are about to start at BEDCO building, and some of them would have a space to operate and display their products. They showed that most of them operate in shacks, which are small and do not have required facilities like electricity, adding that the center would be a relief even though not all of them would be accommodated. The principal secretary was accompanied by other board members of BEDCO from Lesotho Manufacturers Association, ministries of agriculture and tourism and the Lesotho National Development Corporation.
	SOURCE LESOTHO NEWS AGENCY(LENA)