Workshop on “Promotion of SMEs: SME Networks and Business Linkages in Africa” 17th-18th November 2011

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has just concluded a workshop on the above captioned. The meeting was held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Objective and scope of the workshop

• The overall objective of the workshop was to discuss the key issues involved in the development and implementation of networks of SMEs aimed at alleviating some of the challenges faced by SMEs in Africa.
• To highlight best practices and share experience in the development and implementation of networks of SMEs in Africa and elsewhere and to discuss how SMEs can benefit from existing SME networks
The workshop brought together participants drawn from:
• ECA Consultant specializing in SME networks
• Experts from practitioners on SME networks from selected SADC and EAC countries, and Ethiopia
• Representatives of AFDB, UNDP, UNCTAD, IFC and UNIDO
• Representatives from bilateral partners like Finland, UK, etc
• Selected SMEs and large companies from participating countries and
• Staff members from the ECA Secretariat, including from sub-regional offices

THE SME HANDBOOK GOES TO TANZANIA

Mr. Josephat Rweyemamu, the Chairman of the Confederation of Informal Sector Organizations in Tanzania (CISO-TZ) receives the SME HandBook from the SME HandBook Team Leader Mr. Richard N. Muteti on behalf of the informal sector organizations in Tanzania

looking on is Mrs Jane Kijiko, Chair Person for the Association of East African Women Entrepreneurs at a brief ceremony in Dar Es Salaam