ZDA poised to stimulate economy via MSMEs
By BUUMBA CHIMBULU THE Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) says it is determined to stimulate localised economic activity through the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) by providing business linkages with the international market.
ZDA newly appointed director general, Perry Mapani, said the agency was committed to bottom-up development approach and would facilitate development of local business, particularly MSMEs’ infrastructure in localised rural and urban areas. Mr. Mapani said local economic development played a critical role in the development of urban and peri-urban areas.
“The objective of intensifying these areas is to stimulate localised economic activity and develop appropriate MSME business infrastructure in both urban and rural areas,” he said.
He was speaking when he appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on National Economy focusing on MSMEs development in the country.
Mr. Mapani said to ensure that the approach was efficient, there was need to develop the capacity of local authorities toe stablish and management Multi Facility Economic Zones targeted at MSMEs.
He said there was also need to cooperate with private sector real estate developers to construct business industrial parks in selected parts of the country to facilitate access by MSMEs to appropriate operating premises.
“Other policy strategies needed include development of value chain and cluster development programmes to jump start local economic development and enhance utilisation and value addition of local resources,
‘’We also need to facilitate the development of rural business infrastructure to improve the competitiveness of identifies business areas. We also need to provide tax incentives to stimulate development of MSMEs in rural and peri-urban areas,” Mr. Mapani said.
Mr. Mapani noted that local economic development was a regional development strategy that placed emphasis on improving local competitiveness advantage.