The appointment of Mrs. Diana Guria as the Director of the Business Advisory and Capacity Building Division of the Small and Medium Enterprises Corporation (SMEC) is the first time a woman has become a Director in the history of the Corporation since its establishment in 1990.
The SMEC congratulated and welcomed her in a humble but significant contract signing ceremony yesterday.
Mrs. Guria brings a wealth of experience in financial inclusion and business advisory and capacity building, with over 30 years in the banking sector and a master’s in International Business and Entrepreneurship from the Curtin University in Australia.
She will head the Corporation’s Business Advisory and Capacity Building Division, which is responsible for the administration, coordination, management, and facilitation of entrepreneurship training programs including specialized business skills development training.
Key programs under her division include the flagship Internal Labour Organization’s accredited Start and Improve Your Business Program and the Know About Business Program.
Priority amongst her deliverables this year is the implementation of the Nationwide Training of Entrepreneurs Rollout Program 2022-2026 where the Corporation is training 200 entrepreneurs in each of the 6, 112 wards annually.
Meanwhile Managing Director Mr. Petrus Ralda, speaking during the welcome and contract signing ceremony, said Mrs. Guria’s appointment was a display of the Corporation’s giving equal opportunity to women to have key senior management positions in the public sector.
He added that this appointment was in line with the Marape-Rosso Government’s Policy on Gender Equality Social Inclusion in the workspace.
Mrs. Guria acknowledged the Managing Director and stated that she looked forward to serving the Corporation in her capacity as the Director for Business Advisory and Capacity Building.