International Development

Thursday 18th December 2014 Ministerial Corrections

Small Businesses (Developing Countries)

The following is an extract from Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development on 17 December 2014.

[Michael Fabricant]

My right hon. Friend will know that it is hard enough, with some notable exceptions, to get women involved in entrepreneurial activities in this country. What is he doing to encourage women entrepreneurs in developing countries?

[Mr Swayne]

We have provided some 29 million women with access to financial services, and we are supporting the provision of some £26 billion in commercial loans to some 50,000 businesses led by women. Last year at the conference we announced that we would provide support for mentoring for 100 women across north Africa.

[Official Report, 17 December 2014, Vol. 589, c. 1391-2.]

Letter of correction from Mr Swayne:

An error has been identified in the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Lichfield (Michael Fabricant) during Questions to the Secretary of State for International Development.

The correct response should have been:

[Mr Swayne]

We have provided some 26.9 million women with access to financial services, and we are supporting the provision of some £1.25 billion in commercial loans to some 50,000 businesses led by women. Last year at the conference we announced that we would provide support for mentoring for 100 women across north Africa.