Dharamshala: - Focusing efforts on strengthening the Tibetan economy through various initiatives, the organization Tibetan Entrepreneurship Development (TED) Tuesday organised a public talk in Dharamshala’s northern mountain-town of Mcleod Ganj as part of its entrepreneurship outreach campaign.
In his address, Finance Secretary Mr Trinley Gyatso spoke about the genesis of the TED initiative and the Finance Department's constant efforts to boost entrepreneurship in the Tibetan community in exile.
Many Tibetans already know that TED is an initiative of the Social and Resource Development Fund (SARD) under the Central Tibetan Administration’s Department of Finance. However, Gyatso bolstered this description by stating, "The enterprises under the finance department were privatised during the 12th Kashag. It was decided that the Central Tibetan Administration, being the vanguard of the Tibetan movement, was not to dabble in business. However, the Department of Finance has continued to remain steadfast in its efforts to boost entrepreneurship and strengthen the Tibetan economy through its various initiatives."
TED is of the Finance Department’s many initiatives, created specifically “… to affect entrepreneurial knowledge and financial strength in the Tibetan community through workshops, outreach campaigns, job ability trainings, etc..," asGyatso explained.
Mr Tenzin Wangyal, TED Coordinator, provided an overview of the aims and objectives of the Tibetan Entrepreneurship Development initiative: "The TED initiative was formulated during the previous Kashag. However, it was implemented by the present Kashag under Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay. The TED is an important initiative of the Finance Department, which aims to help Tibetan entrepreneurs and business towards becoming competitive, sustainable and impact-oriented.”
"Our major aim, at present, is to provide end-to-end support for budding Tibetan entrepreneurs. We will provide them access to knowledge, networks and mentoring," Wangyal announced to the gathering Tuesday morning.
Another TED Coordinator, Tenzin Norsang, also explained the importance of entrepreneurial knowledgeas a means of boosting a nation’s economy. He cited the example of Singapore, a burgeoning city-state of about 50 years, which has achieved considerable economic strength by motivating entrepreneurship among its citizens.
Norsang spoke about the need to inculcate entrepreneurial ideas in Tibetan students while they attend school. "Entrepreneurship has been recognised as a significant driver of societal growth. Governments have acknowledged that it helps in motivating individuals, businesses and related stakeholders to develop new opportunities that can create economic growth in their societies," he said.
He urged the public to participate in the TED initiative and explained the services offered by TED, particularly support such as awareness of the legal system, training for refining business plans and basic mentoring. This also includes support in connecting entrepreneurs to capital sources, securing grants and refining business plans.
Over 50 Dharamshala-based Tibetan businessmen, shop and restaurant owners attended the discussion. The TED Team also launched a new website (www.tibetanentrepreneurs.org) during the event.
