By HELEN ZULU –
THE Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) has established chambers in Mwinilunga and Kasempa in North-Western Province in an effort to promote trade and development in the province.
And ZACCI has launched its Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) business tool-kit aimed at addressing the skills and knowledge gap among the MSMEs in the country.
North-Western Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NWCCI) president Josephine Makondo said the chamber was committed to ensuring that SMEs were helped to grow their businesses in the country.
Ms Makondo said the chamber was doing everything possible to promote the development of trade in the province.
She was speaking during the ZACCI annual general meeting held at the weekend in Chisamba District.
“As NWCCI, we have made progress in ensuring that we promote the development of trade in the province, so far we have managed to establish a chamber in Kasempa and another one in Mwinilunga,” Ms Makondo said.
ZACCI president Geoffrey Sakulanda said the business tool-kit was a comprehensive and highly practical compendium for entrepreneurs and those to be tailored to the Zambian environment and realities.
Mr Sakulanda said he would address the skills and knowledge gap among MSMEs and offer them practical knowledge and skills that would enhance the performance of their businesses.
He said the tool-kit was a revised reprint of the MSME tool-kit which was published by ZACCI in 2010 as a joint activity with the Association of Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI).
“The tool-kit covers six important modules that include introduction to entrepreneurship, business planning, financial management, sales and marketing, people management and general business management.
“I am confident that the business tool-kit will contribute to improved management and growth of MSMEs in the country,” Mr Sakulanda said.
He said MSMEs played a vital role in the growth of the economy but faces a number of challenges that hinder them from growing and among the challenges was the skills and knowledge gap.
Mr Sakulanda further implored the MSMEs to access the tool-kit which was available at ZACCI and all the chambers offices in the districts.