Govt determined to promote MSMEs

Government says it is determined to promote the Macro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector to ensure that its growth momentum continues to ascend to higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness through value addition, enhanced productivity and high quality standard products and services.

Speaking during the official opening of the 13th Zambia Chamber of Small and Medium Business Associations (ZCSMBA) Annual General Meeting in Lusaka today, Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister, Robert Sichinga says MSMEs are engines for economic development in any country.

Mr. Sichinga says it is because of the importance of MSMEs that government will continue to work hand in hand with various stakeholders including ZCSMBA in ensuring that the interests of the private sector particularly MSMEs are represented.

Mr. Sichinga says government will also endeavor to provide and facilitate business development services as well as foster public and private sector dialogue so as to utilize MSMEs as engines of innovative and inclusive growth.

He has thanked the cooperating partners for complimenting government’s efforts to develop the MSME sector and has assured them that the Patriotic Front government is open minded and ready to discuss with stakeholders in exploring ways of promoting MSME grow and ensure that they significantly contribute to the growth of the Zambian economy.

Mr. Sichinga has further urged ZCSMBA to roll out to remote districts they have not reached so that entrepreneurs in those areas can also benefit from the business development services the Association provides in order for them grow their businesses as well.