Upload
ruth-adams
View
912
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
MALAWI SMEs DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
Presenter: WILLYS SIMFUKWE
Business Incubation Program Manager
FEMCOM SECRETARIAT
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
Enterprise Capacity Building, Entrepreneurship Skills,
Productivity and Industrial Competitiveness Development
Outline
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
Who We AreOur MandateWhy Focus on Malawian Women
Entrepreneurs?Challenges Facing Women EntrepreneursFEMCOM’s RresponseSome LessonsRecommendations
Who We Are
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
The Federation of National Associations of Women in Business in Eastern and Southern Africa (FEMCOM) is a COMESA institution based in Lilongwe
FEMCOM Secretariat was established in Lilongwe in 2009 following the agreement and decision of COMESA Heads of State and Government 2007 Summit held in Nairobi Kenya
FEMCOM mandate is embedded in the COMESA Treaty Artcle 155:Creating an enabling environment for effective participation of
women in Common Market trade and development activities;Promoting special programmes for women in small and medium-
size enterprises;Eliminating such laws and regulations that hinder women’s access
to creditInitiating changes in education and training to enable women and
youth to improve their technical and industrial employment levels (transferable skills)
Who we are?
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
FEMCOM is hosted by the Malawian government under the Ministry of Trade and Industry
The focal point organisation is the National Association of Business Women (NABW)
FEMCOM also works with private sector, SME associations, chambers of commerce and other organisations that collaborate with COMESA
FEMCOM focus on SME
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
1.Enable better use of existing local capacity of SMEs entrepreneurs (particularly in women and youth) to accelerate economic growth in COMESA region including Malawi
2.Women are engaged mostly in labour intensive activities that are central to job creation/ can contribute to equitable distribution of income
3.Enable women and youth entrepreneurs and enterprises to qualify for/ make better use of foreign investment in COMESA region
4.Many women and youth enterprises in collapse at start-up stage; and those that survive the start-up stage fail to grow
5.Enable women and youth’s participation in intra-regional trade in the COMESA region
Challenges facing SMEs
FEMALEENTREPRENEURNO ACCESS
TO BDSHOUSEHOLD FAMILY CARE
DEMANDS
LIMITED SUPPORT
NETWORKS
LOW LEVEL OF EDUCATION
CULTURAL BARRIERS
NO ACCESS TO CREDIT/CAPITAL
NO ACCESS TO MODERN
TECHNOLOGY
LIMITED BUSINESS AND
MARKET KNOWLEDGE
LACK OF OPERATIONAL
SPACE 4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
COMESA FEMCOM’ Strategic Response
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
COMESA theme “Enhancing Intra-COMESA Trade Through MSMEs Development,”
COMESA Medium Term Strategic Plan (2011 – 16): strategic objective two - focuses on Building Productive Capacity for Global Competiveness
FEMCOM Medium Term Strategic Plan (2009 – 14): strategic priority three – focus on building the capacity of women and youth entrepreneurs to become competitive regionally and internationally.
These are in line with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS II, 2011- 16)
In line with country plan to accelerate the attainment of MDG targets for 2015.
COMESA FEMCOM’s Programme Approach
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
SME Cluster Development Programme (funded by EU) focusing on Garment and textiles; agro-processing; and Leather and footwear clusters
Host ministry - The Ministry of Trade and Industry Collaborative Partners: National Association of Women in
Business (NAWB), Malawi SME association, Malawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and World Vision
Key Activities: Profiling of SMEs Business skills trainingTechnical training and procurement of
machinery/equipmentFacilitation of access to finance through COMESA
institutions(PTA bank)
COMESA FEMCOM Programmatic ApproachBusiness Incubation for African Women Entrepreneurs
(BIAWE) Project funded by NEPAD SpanishEight pilot countries (Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Malawi,
Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe) Key activities
Baseline survey and feasibility study to establish regional business incubator
Focus on three sectors (agro-processing, handcrafts and ICT)
Facilitate establishment of Credit Guarantee Fund for women entrepreneurs
Policy review to ensure favourable environment for business incubations
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
Some lessons to date
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
Skills training and access to appropriate technology and/or equipment is critical for SME development
Cluster approach improves cooperation among cluster members - working together to service orders, participate in exhibitions, share equipment and expertise
Cluster approach leads to improved trust and linkage among members (joint purchase of inputs and job sharing) and enhanced productivity
Other programmesImplementation of the Regional Food
Balance Sheet programme (funded by USAID) – FEMCOM is working with ACTESA in implementing the Informal Cross border Monitoring System (ICBMS) of cereal movements at 17 border points in Malawi.
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
Cassava clusterUganda Kenya Rwanda Burundi Madagascar
Capacity building (business and technical training in cassava processing)
55 Kimono District
50 Busia, Teso, Nzaui
50 Rhuhango 52 Kayagoro 80 Ambalaveo
Country partners
FTN Makerere University, Uganda Small Scale Entrepreneur Association
Ministry of Trade, Agriculture
Farm Concern International
Ministry of industrialisation, Agriculture
Farm Concern International
Ministry of Trade,
Rwanda Development Agency.
Farm Concern International, CAPAAD,
Direction Regionale du Developpement Rural de Haute Matsiatra (DRDR-HM)
FOFIFA Centre Research
Ministry of Agriculture
Equipment and machinery
Granters, chippers, dryers;
Graters, chippers, dryers
Granters, chippers and dryers
Equipment delivery awaiting technical training
Equipment delivery awaiting technical training
Note: the equipment is to assist cluster groups to produce quality cassava flour, cassava starch for industrial use and animal feed.
Textile and clothing clusterEthiopia Zambia Malawi Kenya Uganda
Capacity building (business and technical training)
50 100 65 50 50
Partners Textile industry development, MAA Garment, Ethiopia textile and garment manufacturer association
Ministry of trade, Agriculture
Evelyn Hone College, Lusaka Technical School,
Ministry of trade, TEVETA
World Vision, Malawi Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
World Vision, Kabete Technical College
Ministry of Industrialisation
Textile Development Agency,
Ministry of Commerce
Equipment and machinery
Not yet Not yet Not yet Not yet Semi automatic sewing machines, embroidery and knitters,
Recommendations
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM
Review SME policies to ensure the acceleration of Cluster Development and Business Incubation Initiatives (provide quotas in government procurement for SMEs)
Need to support tertiary institutions to engage in Business Incubation activities and provide incubation space for SMEs (lessons from ASIA and BRICS)
Make use of Peer Review mechanism to enable governments to learn and share best practices in SME strategies and implementation practices e.g. Mauritius, Kenya, etc)
Review of school/Educational curricula to ensure incorporation of entrepreneurial learning at early stages of learning
Mass community sensitisation to alleviate impact of negative cultural beliefs
Thank You For Your Attention.Contact:
FEMCOM COMESAMrs. Katherine Ichoya, CEO:
[email protected]; [email protected] Mr. Willys Simfukwe, Project Manager:
[email protected]@comesa.int
4/25/2013COMESA FEMCOM