The State Department for Micro Small Medium Enterprise Development (MSMEs) has embarked on Public Participation Forums across the country to gather views on MSMEs Draft Policy 2025.
A Public Participation and Stakeholder Engagement Forum held at a Machakos hotel included participants from Lower Eastern region of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui to validate the draft policies that are to give solutions to various challenges faced by traders in Machakos.
The Director Planning from State Department for MSMEs Development Antony Njeru spoke to the media in Machakos during the forum where he emphasized on the importance of public views especially the entrepreneurs on the recommended policy objectives.
“We want to hear and gather views on whether the policy objectives will be able to solve the challenges facing MSMEs in Machakos,” said Njeru.
He noted that the main challenges facing most traders was access to markets and credit for their businesses which the government is trying to solve through trade guarantee schemes and Government affirmative funds.
Additionally, he acknowledged government efforts in working with banks to come up with affordable products that could cater for MSMEs especially on their high interest rates that tended to push the traders to shylocks.
Njeru pointed out the plans and objectives to address why MSMEs were not producing the desired quality and quantity that international and domestic markets required by expanding market access, offering financial literacy for traders and enhancing technology and capacity building.
Machakos CECM Trade, Innovation and MSMEs John Kilonzo commended the National Government on working together with counties towards creating a better environment and a regulatory framework for traders to do business.
Kilonzo reiterated the need for traders to have financial literacy, knowledge and exposure through capacity building to be able to excel and capture international markets.
“We are making good progress and soon we should be able to give traders a proper environment to do business and create employment in Machakos,” added Kilonzo.
By Anne Kangero
