NBSSI To Assist SMEs

The National Board for Small-Scale Industries (NBSSI) has positioned itself adequately to transform the micro and small-scale enterprises from subsistence orientation to a commercially attractive and dynamic sector capable of making a substantial contribution to the growth of the economy.

Mr. Saeed Owusu-Brobbey, the Ashanti Regional Manager of the Board, who gave the assurance said the government through the board, had established a number of schemes to assist micro and small scale businesses to expand their activities.

Mr. Owusu-Brobbey was speaking at the closing of a four-day management appreciation seminar for the Association of processed Drinking Water Producers in Kumasi on Friday.

The seminar, which was organized by the Business Advisory Centre (BAC) of the NBSSI, aimed at assisting the 28 participants to improve upon their entrepreneurial and managerial skills to enhance the profitability of their businesses and to ensure their growth and survival.

He mentioned some of the schemes as the establishment of the NBSSI/GTZ promotion of micro and small-scale entrepreneurs fund, the export development fund and other technical assistance to the sector.

Mr. Owusu-Brobbey identified lack of technical and managerial skills, finance. Marketing opportunities and poor quality and design of products as some of the problems facing the sector.

He said the board was equipped to play its facilitating role to promote and develop the micro and small-scale sector, which was crucial to the attainment of the country's socio-economic development.

Mrs. Beatrice Boakye, Ashanti Regional Head of BAC said, the training had equipped the participants with new knowledge and skills that would make them better entrepreneurs to ensure business growth.

She entreated them to strengthen the association to enable them to access support from other institutions.

Mr. Patrick Adu-Gyamfi, chairman of the association, said the seminar had equipped them mentally to improve on their business.

He called for regular organization of such seminars for them to refresh their minds to enable them to improve on their production.