The chairman of the board of directors of the Mozambique Stock Exchange (BVM), Salim Cripton Valá, invited four micro-entrepreneurs to a meeting on Friday 25 August.
According to the official, the guests were Pedro Langa, a shoeshine and shoe repairer, Jusseline Costa, a sweet and savoury seller, and José Canoa and Alberto Huela, both M-pesa agents.
“The meeting allowed us to get to know each other better, discussing who their families are, how they started their businesses, their successes, the difficulties they face and their prospects. I told them about who I am, my family, my professional career, what BVM is, what it does, its advantages and how to access its services and products,” said Salim Valá.
The head of BVM told his guests that, “when I feel tired or my energy is low, I remind myself of my drive, my persistence and the fact that I don’t get down in the face of adversity”. He continued: “I explained to them that I believe that one day their companies or those of their children or grandchildren will use the Stock Exchange and I stressed that it is also an instrument for promoting entrepreneurship, the economic empowerment of Mozambicans and the popularisation of capital.”
Salim Valá believes that “it is these Mozambicans – hard-working, determined, creative, honest and with a love of work – who make me more hopeful about my country and its economy”.
Finally, the head of BVM made it clear that he was very happy to learn about the life story of these entrepreneurs, and “I have come to admire even more these fellow citizens of fibre, who don’t flinch in the face of difficulties, and make a living through hard work, in a dignified and honest way”.
