Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government has called on the private sector, Development partners and Entrepreneurs to enhance interventions and join hands with government to support the rapid growth and development of micro, small and medium enterprises (SME) Sector.
Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe in a speech read on her behalf by her Deputy Miles Sampa, during the launch of the first round of “Nyamuka Business Plan competition” in Lusaka this morning says Zambia continues to face unemployment challenges with many women and youths unable to get decent jobs with their only means of survival being trading on the streets as vendors.
Ms. Mwanakatwe however, notes that government has put in place a number of measures to support MSMEs among them the development of the SMEs development policy and provision of empowerment of funds.
She adds that in its quest to empower youths and women in the country, government will soon develop a programme that will empower vendors and SMEs to grow their revenue generation capacities as well as increase employment creating opportunities.
Ms. Mwanakatwe has further implored stakeholders in the country to come up with programmes that will supplement government’s efforts in supporting entrepreneurs.
And Nyamuka Zambia Manager Shalin Jethi says a high rate of entrepreneurship is a sign of a healthy economy, adding that a thriving entrepreneurship culture will lead to more job creation in the country.
Nyamuka Zambia is an initiative by the Private Enterprise Programme (PEP) that aims to stimulate micro, small and medium enterprise investment flows outside traditional ransom channels by supporting entrepreneurial activity.