Owners of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have been critical of government activities affecting their operations over the years.
CAS for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives David Osiany on Wednesday, June 23, called upon proprietors of small businesses to seek advice and business consultation at the Kenya Institute of Business Training (KIBT).
The institution, whose headquarters are in Parklands along Ojijo Road, has branches in Mombasa, Embu, Garissa, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kakamega, and Kisumu counties.
Established in 1966, the organization has imparted managerial as well as entrepreneurial training for over 50 years.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s DayBreak, Mr Osiany urged those interested in product development to seek guidance at the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institution (KIRDI).
The institute has its main offices in South C, Nairobi and has regional offices countrywide. The core Research and Technological divisions in the organization are Engineering, Energy and Environment, ICT, Leather & Textiles, and Food Technology.
Moreover, the Kenya Industrial Estate (KIE) has since its inception been committed to the cause of micro and small business for rural industrialization and value addition to raw materials.
Those focused on manufacturing were encouraged to pursue the organization’s services. This follows the focus of President Uhuru on manufacturing as it is pertinent to the Big 4 agenda, as mentioned by the CAS.
In an attempt to simplify processes, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Industry initiated the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA). MSEA, whose offices are accessible nationwide, is essentially a state corporation mandated to formulate and review processes for small enterprises.
The body is so far resourceful in reinforcing the bargaining abilities of micro business owners when negotiating better terms and conditions with the national government.
For solely funding purposes, Uwezo Funds flagship programme for Vision 2030 exists to offer loans to youth, women and people with disabilities to access monies to conduct business. It is among the few financial service institutions that has a kitty exclusively for use by Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.
The organization features a simplified screening process for applicants and a short time period to acquisition of approved monies.
When it comes to taxation, Mr Osiany defended his ministry as only a facilitator working in conjunction with branches of the national government for optimized functioning of the country’s economic landscape.
Manufacturing is the ministry’s role in the Big 4 agenda and is of crucial significance in spite of the taxation requirements of the 2021 Finance Bill.
This agenda was carved as a top priority in a bid to boost Kenya’s manufacturing sector by enabling special economic zones, activating multiple initiatives to support local businesses and to create an environment that allows Kenyans to sustain incomes through commercial activities.
