President Hichilema opens national MSMEs, cooperatives indaba
President Hakainde Hichilema says Government is working hard to connect micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to right markets for their products and services.
He said this at the official opening of the national MSMEs and cooperatives indaba at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka today.
The theme of the indaba is building resilient and competitive MSMEs and cooperatives for the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Among other relevant conversations, the indaba will discuss how to promote the growth of MSMEs and cooperatives to enhance their contribution to Zambia’s economic-socio transformation.
In September 2021, President Hichilema created the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development to facilitate the creation and growth of businesses, saying SME development will contribute to jobs in the country.
At today’s indaba, President Hichilema said MSMEs and cooperatives are the engine of the economy.
“Find your space. Leave the complaining group and join the group of people who are looking for business opportunities.
“There can be no large business without MSMEs. Our job is to connect you to a customer within the country, in the region and on the continent of Africa. We are here to work for you to connect what you produce to the market. The consumer demand in Africa is huge,” President Hichilema said.
The President reminded cooperatives and MSMEs about the great opportunity ahead of them and urged innovators and business people to embrace such.
“Do not tire seeking to do what you want. Set your eyes on what you want to achieve and you will find success just around the corner,” he said.
President Hichilema further said the government is fully committed to supporting the MSMEs sector.
“We are streamlining business registration procedures for this sector, to make it easy. We are also decentralising the licensing of businesses,” said President Hichilema, adding that the indaba should end with specific areas where government ought to provide support to MSMEs and cooperatives.