LAUNCH OF THE SME HANDBOOK-14th September 2011

New SME Handbook to empower small businesspeople with information launched

A new and comprehensive Handbook to address the critical need for information to small business people in Kenya was launched on 14th, September 2011 at the Laico Regency Hotel in Nairobi.. The SME Handbook is an initiative of the Small and Medium Enterprises Support-East Africa, an institution that works in partnership with most of the apex SME bodies in Kenya and the region to facilitate their access to critical inputs needed for their development. It was published by Aquarius Media, a PR and publishing consultancy that caters for clients in Kenya and the Eastern Africa region.

The Handbook has been borne of a stated need by many SMES through their apex bodies for a comprehensive databank to act as a one-stop-shop for accessing information on how the small businesspeople in the country can improve their businesses. The inadequate access to timely and relevant information by small businesspeople has been identified by the Government as a major obstacle to their growth.

The SME Handbook has been developed as a public-private partnership, with collaboration between the various stakeholders in this sector both at Governmental and private sector levels. It is poised to become a critical source of business information specifically targeted at small businesspeople. Among the partners are the various Government ministries including Ministry of Trade and Labour, as well as private sector players like Inoorero University, Metropolitan Life, National Hospital Insurance Fund, Equity Bank.

Other partners include private sector associations like Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), the East Africa Business Association (EABC), and member organizations in the micro, small and medium enterprises sector.

The SME Handbook was launched by the Minister for Trade, Hon. Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere In the presence of the SME Handbook Project Team Leader, Mr. Richard Muteti.in attendance were, Eng. Patrick Obath, chairman, KEPSA, the vice chairman of EABC, Mr Keli Kiilu, and the Director of Internal Trade, Mrs Joyce Ogundo.

The book will be distributed countrywide to small business people through the offices of the Ministry of Trade, and the Business Information centres, as well as the apex umbrella institutions in the micro, small and medium enterprises.