Gov`t gives boost to SMEs

In its efforts to create interest and sustain micro enterprise promotion in the country, the government has embarked on micro and small scale enterprises development, and the Promotion and Rural Technology Facility (RTF) project, to boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

This was made known during the inauguration of a sub-committee on Micro and Small Scale Enterprise Development and Promotion, and the commissioning of Rural Technology Facility (RTF) in Asamankese, last Wednesday.

The project forms part of the Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) of the government to create wealth, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of life in the rural areas.

In her address, the Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry and Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiative (PSI), Mrs. Gifty Ohene Konadu, said the project sought to reduce poverty, by promoting a competitive SMEs sector, which is supported by good quality, easily accessible, and sustainable business support services, at both community and district levels.

She explained that government, under the project, would establish 18 RTFs nationwide to support the transfer of appropriate technology to farmers, agro-processors, metal based artisans and SMEs, as well as the training of unemployed youth as apprentices in viable artisan trades.

She also noted that the introduction of the programme goes a long way to attest to the government's effort and commitment to the RTF, and its role towards development objectives in attaining middle income status in 2015.

The Deputy Minister cautioned that the successful operation of the project would largely depend on the interest, attitude, and commitment of the rural forks, especially how they patronised the services.

To this end, she advised members of the committee, to be proactive and provide strategic directions, which would ensure the development and growth of district industries, to support business creation and employment generation.

The Project Co-Ordinator in charge of RTF, Mr. Kwasi Atta-Antwi, expressed his appreciation to the government for introducing the project.

According to him, the primary objectives of RTF were to improve living conditions in the rural areas, particularly increasing incomes of women and vulnerable groups, through increased self and wage employment. He also mentioned that the project had benefited over 142,000 people, since its inception in 2003.