Small and Medium Enterprise Development Institute, Times Group and ECO Bank trained 230 SMES at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre on 3rd November, 2022, dubbing the training as “Tikweze Business Clinic. This follows a similar training that took place at BICC in Lilongwe on 27th May, 2022. Topics covered during the training includes Business and Financial Planning, Importance of Record Keeping, Access to Markets, Power of Advertising in Business, Bidding and Tendering, and Value Addition.
The training started with a motivational speech from a model SME, Mrs. Rice, who produces peanut butter that has accessed formal markets, attributing her business growth to a loan from European Investment Bank-Kulima Project managed by ECO Bank.
A presentation was made on how SMEDI is making the MSME Sector vibrant in Malawi, by its Director of Information and Training, Mr. Edward Chilima. Other presentations made were from Eco Bank on how SMEs can access finance, a Business Consultant, Mr. Hilton Msamali, on Management Accounts, PPDA representative on how SMEs can win Government tenders and from Times Group on how SMEs can advertise their products and services.
After presentations, there was a panel discussion by SMEDI, SME representative, ECO Bank, EU Investment Bank, Ministry of industry and Trade, and PPDA. The discussion was followed by comments and questions from SMEs. The interaction between panelists and SMEs was vital in boosting SME knowledge to improve their businesses.
The SME Business Clinic was organized by the trio (SMEDI, Times Group and Eco bank) with an understanding that SMEs are key to the economic development of the country. SMEDI supports Tikweze Business Clinic as part of its mandate to promote the development of SMEs in Malawi. Promotion of SMEs supports efforts by the Government to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive thereby making MSME sector vibrant for creation of wealth and jobs.