GEN Zambia Managing Director and Global Entrepreneurship Week - Country Host- Edwin Zulu , says Government is constituting a national technical committee through the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development as the Chair through the Directorate of Business Development and Grants, while his organization will serve as secretariat.
Mr. Zulu told the Times Media , shortly after GEN Zambia paid a courtesy call on MSMED newly appointed Permanent Secretary- M Subeta Mutelo yesterday.
“The ministry also takes its role to bring on board other public sector organizations involved in the country’s economic development such as Zambia Development Agency, PACRA and Ministries of Tourism, Education, Youths Sports and Art among other sectors,” Mr Zulu says.
The ministry also brings on board other multilateral and bilateral organizations which include the UNDP, European Union (EU) and the Irish Embassy among others and key private sector organizations, including some Banks with a focus on SMEs & Cooperatives development.
He says this is key in providing synergies and impact to SMEs and cooperatives development support by various stakeholders,
Mr. Zulu says the technical committee will the basis for effective collaboration among stakeholders in entrepreneurship, SME and cooperative development which is key in the national delivery of the 8national development plan ( 8NDP) with a focus national economic transformation and job creation.
GEC 2023 provides an important opportunities for Zambian SME and cooperative development stakeholders and more especially government and the private sectors, because the platform will provide opportunities for Zambian institutions, private sectors or businesses, public sectors to learn about the Australian models on enterprise, SME and cooperative development strategies for replication here at home.
Australia showcases successful sectorial cooperative enterprises and financial institutions and opportunities from other over 180 countries under the GEN global platform and hence GEN Zambia is inviting about 10 to 100 Zambian public and private sectors , corporates to be part of the national delegation to led by the Minister of SME development , Hon. Elias Mubanga to also attend the Inter- Ministerial meeting and Permanent Secretary Mutelo to lead the national public sector team for the Startup Nations Summit for public sector technocrats and Advisors , while the private sectors to be part of GEC 2023 Assembly
Earlier the Permanent Secretary said Government is ready to work with Zambians who are willing to foster the development of SMEs and Cooperatives in ensuring they contribute immensely to the country’s economic development and GDP growth.
Mrs. Mutelo said the ministry was excited to see how GEN Zambia was collaborating with other stakeholders to showcase itself, but work with Government and ensuring that it was not working in isolation.
“I think it is good and it should be commended that we have our own citizens that are committed to make a difference for the benefit of the national through SMEs and cooperatives development. I hope we will do a good job together to ensure we do not blame anybody,” Mrs Mutelo said.