The Minister of Labour Ken Kandodo recently met about 100  small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to involve them in the Tonse Alliance’s one million jobs creation drive.

Kandodo said the minister promised the SMEs that the ministry is working on modalities to improve the country’s business environment to ensure that businesses thrive. “SMEs are a critical aspect in creating jobs in our country. We, however, realise that they are facing a number of challenges , but we are committed to creating vibrant and productive SMEs who will help in job creation and skills development.”

Recently, the National Small and Medium Enterprises (Nasme) proposed  a K5 billion bail-out package for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as a cushion against the impacts of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. Initially, the government had already considered SMEs by issuing a three-month Covid-19 moratorium for them, through the Reserve Bank of Malawi. However Nasme national coordinator William Mwale, said that not all SMEs can benefit from the initiative.