Smedi in capacity building of its officers

Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (Smedi) says small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are failing to succeed due to continued use of traditional ways of doing business.

Speaking on Wednesday during the opening of a three-day training for Smedi officers on Agricultural Commodity Exchange (ACE) services at Mponela in Dowa Smedi director of business information and training Edward Chilima said SMEs are failing to develop despite their potential.

“Make sure you utilise this opportunity to learn new things and disseminate the information to our SMEs so that they are aware of all systems to enable them improve on their profits,” he said.

The training was, among other objectives, organised to impart knowledge of the warehouse receipt system.

Chilima observed that warehouse receipt system is important because it helps SMEs to find better markets and reduce post-harvest losses.

Speaking during a tour to Chikwatula Farmers Group and Warehouse in Ntchisi, ACE programmes coordinator Jacob Kumwenda said it was imperative that SMEDI officers know how the warehouse receipt system works.

In an interview, Kumwenda said the training covered receipting system, quality specifications, marketing information, storage facilitation, trade facilitation, ACE trade system, contracts, dispute resolution and access to finances. n