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Speed up creation of industrial policy, Kopulande urges govt

Speed up creation of industrial policy, Kopulande urges govt
By Mwala Kalaluka
Tuesday March 11, 2008 [03:00]

SETREC chairman Sebastian Kopulande has asked the government to expedite the creation of an industrial policy to enable small-scale businesses make it in an environment dominated by multinationals. And Kopulande said Setrec’s business profile had been enhanced following its receipt of the Golden Arrow Award for the best manufacturing company in Zambia. The award was from Professional Management Review (PMR) Africa.

Kopulande said in an interview on Saturday that the current business environment had stifled the growth of small-scale entrepreneurs because it was devoid of necessary support ingredients to build their capacities.

“You know very well that small-scale entrepreneurs have serious difficulties in accessing credit facilities from our banking system; that is the biggest obstacle,” he said.

“The other serious difficulty is accessing contracts; even contracts from the government.”

He said even the recent enactment of the citizens economic empowerment Act in 2006 had not done much to change the above status quo because of the government’s failure to implement the Act.

“That Act also provides for preference to Zambian-owned companies in terms of access to government contracts and so controlling officers who are disregarding this provision are actually breaking the law,” Kopulande said. “We also need to quickly work on an industrial policy, which will ensure that the capacity of small-scale business is built.”

And Kopulande said the award given to Setrec by PMR Africa, which he described as a highly reputable regional business research institution, was an indication that Zambian companies could make it despite the odds against them.

“I dedicate this award to all the small-scale businesses in Zambia,” he said. “They must remain dedicated, focused and stick to the vision. Zambian entrepreneurs have the entrepreneurial spirit and drive which should not be thwarted by this non-supportive environment.”

Kopulande said although Setrec was a small-scale manufacturing company, it had been able to spread its business tentacles outside the country as evidenced from the awards received at various regional and international fairs.

Labels: PMR, SEBASTIAN KOPULANDE, SETREC

posted by MrK @ 4:50 PM