Sub-Saharan Consulting Group (SSCG) to host an important and timely conference to discuss the mechanisms required to promote the development of SME value chains, market competitiveness and management capacity in Malawi.
Malawi SMEs and Enterprise Development Forum on 29 November 2012 at the New Bingu International Conference Centre, Lilongwe.
Since coming to power as Malawi’s first female president, HE Joyce Banda has embarked on an ambitious private sector-led recovery plan to put Malawi back on the path to prosperity. As highlighted by former British PM Tony Blair on his recent visit, this requires a healthy working relationship between the private sector and government in order to develop well-functioning value chains, markets, and the management and entrepreneurial capacity needed by entrepreneurs and SMES who act as the ultimate drivers of sustainable economic growth and job creation.
In support of this critical agenda, Sub-Saharan Consulting Group (SSCG), a leading UK and international consulting firm, in partnership with Foster Lewis Consulting LLP and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, will host the Malawi SMEs and Enterprise Development Forum on 29 November 2012 at the New Bingu International Conference Centre. Bringing together leading figures from the private, government and non-governmental sectors, the conference will stimulate a wide-ranging discussion on how Malawi can move forward.
Commenting on the conference, Eugene Nizeyimana, SSCG Chief Operating Officer, said that, “There is a pressing need to develop sustainable SME value chains, foster market competitiveness, and facilitate management and entrepreneurial capacity development in small businesses within Malawi. SSCG’s key aims and core focus is to implement various mechanisms in the next three years geared towards the development of small business in Malawi.”
With confirmed speakers including HE John Bande of the Ministry for Trade & Industry, the country directors of both the World Bank and African Development Bank, the Managing Director of Malawi Mangoes and many more, this important and timely event will discuss and address various mechanisms which will aim at:
· Strengthening private sector institutions to provide training and advisory services, including linking small businesses to information, technology, raw materials and markets;
· Improving business and financial management skills for entrepreneurs so as to improve lending confidence for financial institutions;
· Building the capacity of business associations to provide improved and new services,
· Creating solutions for access to technology and technical skills training;
· Providing holistic assistance to entrepreneurs working in specifically identified key growth sectors to overcome growth constraints;
· Facilitating diaspora investment and skills transfer.
In order to maintain the momentum generated by the conference, there will be a series of activities, workshops and events coupled with training, consultancy, mentoring, business advisory service and knowledge sharing platforms to support the sustainable growth of SMEs in Malawi.
Key areas to be addressed
Development of SMEs value chain
Fostering Malawi market development
Supporting SMEs & startups access to finance and financial services
Job creation through entrepreneurship and innovation
Enhancing private sector development through management training, mentoring & coaching
Fostering entrepreneurial and innovative culture in Malawi
Promoting University entrepreneusrhip as an intervention to graduate unemployment
Unlocking new talent and business opportunities through competition
Fostering diaspora investment and skill transfer
Confirmed and expected Speakers
HE Joyce Banda, President of Republic of Malawi
Hon John Bande, Ministry of trade and industry
Hon Charles Chuka, Governor, Reserve Bank of Malawi
Trevor Simumba, Managing Director, SSCG Zambia
Sandra Bloemenkamp, World Bank
Andrew Mwaba, Country Director, AfDB Malawi
Welkom Phiri, INDEBANK
Malawi Shiraz Ysuf, Director, Ernst Young
Chancellor Kaferapanjira: Chief Executive at Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Department for International Development (DFID)
Jonny Jacobs, Managing Director, Malawi Mangoes
Haroon Sacranie
John Mataya, Malawi Institute of Management
Irish Aid Malawi
UNDP Malawi
Mary Malunga, Head of the National Association of Business Women.
Amos Zaindi, Director, Self-help Malawi
Ian Foster, Director, Foster Lewis Consulting LLP
Mrs. Katherine N. Ichoya, Chief Executive Officer, FEMCOM,
Tichawona Shumba, Africa Union Commission, Malawi
For further information on the conference and participation or registration, please contact:
Karen Chinkwita at: Karen.Chinkwita@s-scg.com.
TO REGISTER, visit: http://asm2012.eventbrite.com/
