Nasme to hold SMEs exhibition in Blantyre, December 18 to 24
National Association of Small and Medium Enterprise (Nasme) would like to see local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) realise their potential and grow in Malawi.
Nasme southern region chapter chairperson Nizia Ndhlovu Chilenga said most SMEs in the country are failing to grow because they lack confidence and financial guidance.
She said after analysing the growth of SMEs in the country, Nasme will from December 18 to 24, 2015 hold an exhibition show at Chichiri Trade Fair grounds.
“Our analysis shows that some SMEs have been in the small category for over ten years and are failing to grow into medium enterprises,” said Chilenga.
“The whole SME concept is that when you start small, you grow with time and become a large entrepreneur,” said Chilenga.
She said, however, that this is not the case with Malawi’s SMEs and that most of them lack confidence while others fail to manage their finances, hence failing to grow.
The exhibition will enable SMEs to showcase their products and learn from different sectors and that it has attracted several corporate institutions from the banking sector and other sectors among exhibitors.
“We have invited banks who will give presentations on financial management and the importance of saving. The Malawi Bureau of Standards will also be there to guide the producers in terms of quality requirements,” she said.
She noted that most products that are imported can be locally produced but that the problem is that of quality.
“SMEs have not been able to compete on the regional market. We would like to see this situation changed so that small enterprises are able to graduate into medium entrepreneurs and compete effectively on the regional market,” said Chilenga.
She said once this is achieved, importation of other products will reduce. She urged Malawians to support the local industry by buying locally produced goods.
