By ROGERS KALERO
VARIOUS Knowledge-Transfer, technical support and capacity building initiatives undertaken by the various agencies under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI) have proved to be very helpful for Small and Medium Entrepreneurship (SMEs)..
Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) Chief Executive Officer Peggy Kaunda said the three institutions, Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS), Zambia Compulsory Standards Agency (ZCSA) and the Zambia Metrology Agency (ZMA) do undertake various Knowledge-Transfer, technical support and capacity building initiatives targeted at supporting the SMEs.
Ms Kaunda said in Kitwe at the launch of the Lobito Corridor Trade Facilitation Project of SMEs Training held at NAPSA complex which was also attended by various stakeholders like the Kitwe and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KDCCI).
She said, from time to time, the initiatives undertaken by ZABS, ZCSA and ZMA have proved to be very helpful for those that have been beneficiaries of the same programmes.
“As National Quality Infrastructure, we have received feedback which would point to the fact that SMEs go away from our training programmes , equipped with the necessary information in standards , quality, accreditation, and metrology which they are then able to apply to their respective businesses.
“In addition, we have information that some SMEs that have benefited from the training undertaken through our institutions, have seen their products on the shelves of some big retailers and supermarkets,” Ms Kaunda said.
Ms Kaunda said appropriate training goes a long way in ensuring that SMEs produce that were not only acceptable for local consumption, but goods which were also ready for export market.
“When I become an SME in my next life, I will aim to get my products into the export market. To the SMEs that are here with us, we thank you for attending this important launch and we look forward to interacting and sharing with you .
“We guarantee you that the training programme that has been launched today shall be for your greater benefits and once given an opportunity, ensure that you fully exploit the market ,” she said.
