NEW MINISTRY GIVES CONTRACTORS HOPE

“WE hope the creation of the Ministry of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) will come up with policies to nurture the local contractors and suppliers so that they will be able to develop and carry out huge contracts in various sectors of the economy,’’ Local Contractors and Suppliers have said .

Consortium of Local Contractors and Allied Suppliers (ColCAS) President John Chilupula said the decision by President

Hakainde Hichilema to introduce the Ministry of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) was a well thought out idea which if properly implemented would go a long way to promote entrepreneurship.

In an interview in Kitwe yesterday, Mr Chilupula said local contractors and suppliers needed the Ministry of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs so that it could help them build capacity and be able to carry out big contracts which were currently being done by foreign contractors .

“Entrepreneurship has not developed in this country because the previous government did not create a ministry to look at the challenges facing the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs. With the coming of the Ministry of Small and Medium Entrepreneurs, we hope of better things to come .

“This is a well thought out idea by President Hichilema and we are hopeful that this ministry will also look at nurturing the local contractors and suppliers so that they can grow and have the capacity to carry out big contracts in various sectors of the economy,’’ Mr Chilupula said.

Mr Chilupula said he was sure that President Hichilema will address the various issues affecting the local contractors and suppliers because his interest was to alleviate poverty and promote food security in the country .

Mr Chilupula said President Hichilema had delivered an inspirational speech during his inauguration ceremony which had won the hearts of many people including members of the opposition .

“We need to support President Hichilema and give him and his team time to put things in order. For us, suppliers and contractors, we will support him by delivering projects on time. We would also like to see transparency in the awarding of contracts so that companies are given contracts on merit,’’ he said.

Mr Chilupula said he was hopeful that the government of President Hichilema will refine various policies to suit the interests of local contractors and suppliers to enable them get big contracts and contribute to poverty alleviation through job creation.