By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
NYAMUKA Zambia annual business plan competition run by Private Enterprise Programme (PEP-Zambia) has partnered with Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) to provide support for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The two organisations have since signed an agreement to create a formal partnership, to stimulate an already existing relationship, under which entrepreneurs will have access to ZDA’s Information Resource Centre.
The agreement was signed by PEPZ team leader Bayo Akindeinde and ZDA Director of Enterprise Development Mukula Makasa.
Mr Akindeinde said that the significant role ZDA plays in the life of Zambia’s private sector cannot be overemphasised hence the need for a formal partnership.
Meanwhile, Mr Makasa said ZDA was aware of the highly enterprising and diverse needs of SMEs that cut across every sector of the economy.
In the agreement, Nyamuka Zambia will establish a work-station within the ZDA Information Resource Centre to support the work of ZDA and Nyamuka Zambia entrepreneurs.
It will set up a Nyamuka Zambia helpdesk at the resource centre to ensure that users have maximum opportunity to benefit from what Nyamuka Zambia offers.
Nyamuka Zambia will also run workshops for users of the resource centre in an effort to transfer key business skills from Nyamuka Zambia specialists and provide mentorship and expert support to budding entrepreneurs.
The competition is part of the UKaid-funded PEPZ, which aims to fortify market linkages and support entrepreneurs to ensure that they have the capacity to supply the quality products and services.