SMEs urged to exploit world export forum
By BUSINESS REPORTER GOVERNMENT has urged Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to utilise the upcoming World Export Development Forum (WEDF) as it provides an opportunity for businesses to become competitive in global markets.
Zambia was selected to host the 18th edition of the WEDF, scheduled to take place in September, this year in Lusaka.
The conference will be held under the theme, “Scaling up through Trade: Skill, Innovate, and Connect with 600 international and local companies expected to participate.”
Commerce, Trade and Industry Ministry public relations officer, Godfrida Chanda, said in an interview that SMEs had potential to contribute to sustainable economic development once they enhanced their global markets.
Ms Chanda observed that Zambia had a growing number of SME’s and that it was well known that a robust private sector was key to a country’s economic growth.
Hosting the WEDF, she said, would give an opportunity for Zambia’s SMEs to become more sustainable and contribute to economic development within the framework of the Aid-forTrade agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
"WEDF usually brings together over 600 senior national and international policymakers, heads of trade support organizations, business leaders and representatives of international agencies.
"Through high-level plenaries, workshops and facilitated business-to-business meetings, participants will increase their practical knowledge in the latest innovations, processes and policies, and establish new partnerships and contacts,” Ms Chanda said.
Ms Chanda said in addition to the expected economic benefits of the WEDF, the forum could also lead to formation of effective private and public sector engagement in implementing nationally important events.
Ms Chanda said the ministry would make efforts to connect Zambian SMEs to international partners through Business to Business (B2B) meetings during the Forum this year.
"We are calling upon all SMEs to take an interest and register their participation during the event. This is our event and would like as many stakeholders to register so that they participate," she said.