Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering citizens through practical business solutions tailored for local communities and enterprises.
Speaking in a speech read for by the Assistant Secretary, John Mwasha at the graduation of Business Development Leaders (BDL) trainers in Mansa district, Luapula Province Permanent Secretary, Prudence Chinama said the establishment of Gazette No. 1123 of 2021 was a deliberate policy intervention to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to operate sustainably and grow.
Ms Chinama said the business development service providers’ training is a timely initiative that will greatly benefit the region with access to skills training, cooperative movement support and financial empowerment.
She added that efforts to train and empower citizens are indicative that the government is taking development closer to the people.
“We are striving to ensure jobs are created, households are lifted out of poverty, and existing and new businesses succeed in their endeavors,” she said.
Ms Chinama noted that the graduation of business service providers, supported by the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development and the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA), shows the government is addressing gaps in the business environment.
She however said that the TEVETA structured training is a strategic intervention targeting Zambian entrepreneurs.
She pointed out that the specially trained business individuals will help many small businesses by imparting their knowledge to those accessing their training services.
The Permanent Secretary urged graduates to use their skills to transform communities by unlocking opportunities for others, enabling them to contribute significantly to economic activity and gross domestic product (GDP) from Luapula’s end.
She thanked the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, in conjunction with TEVETA, for facilitating the training, which has equipped the group to enlighten more business leaders on financial knowhow, sustainable business practices, taxation and other statutory compliance.
Meanwhile, the Luapula Cooperative Union welcomed the first BDL training initiative in the province, saying it will greatly enhance business competency among all local business owners.
Luapula Cooperative Union Manager, Memory Kasumpa stressed that with the presence of the newly trained BDLs, about 1,000 cooperatives in Luapula will be poised to benefit from the business knowledge consultancy services from the trained group.
“As Luapula Cooperative Union, we recognise that the skills you have acquired are critical to the development of the business sector through mentorship, marketing linkages, building strategic relationships and growing revenue,” Ms Kasumpa said.
Emmanuel Munsanje, a representative of the graduating trainees, said the acquired business skill-set is key to consultancy services to be offered, which will sharpen the business mindset among many SMEs.
Liberty Bwalya, a master trainer for the Business Development Leaders, noted that the expectation of the BDL training is that new trainers will spread their knowledge to others as business development trainees and learners.
