A capacity building programme on Market Linkage and Financial Literacy for local micro-entrepreneurs was held on April 15 at ZPC, Kiphire. The programme was organised by Akehda Amulung in collaboration with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
In his opening remarks, Irothe T. Sangtam welcomed the resource persons and participants. Aketo V. Sangtam, president of the Local Shopkeepers Union, Kiphire Town, conducted a session on market linkage. He observed that nearly 90% of locals visit banks mainly for withdrawals, while deposits and savings are largely made by non-locals. He described this as a shift in the local economy and encouraged locals to invest more within the district.
Aketo stressed that success should not be confined to government jobs and urged youth to explore entrepreneurship. He noted that only about 10% of the 130 registered shopkeepers in the union are youths, calling for greater youth participation. He also highlighted the positive shift in agriculture from subsistence to income generation. Emphasising financial literacy, he underlined the importance of saving, proper calculation, and reinvestment, while reminding that growth requires time, patience and collective effort.
A networking session was also held for participants to interact and share ideas. In his closing remarks, Longtili C. Sangtam, founder of Akehda Amulung, thanked SIDBI, the Local Shopkeepers Union, and ZPC Kiphire for their support. He assured that the organisation would continue working for the development of young minds and the community in Kiphire.
