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Business Reporter
SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is working on the implementation of a matchmaking grant programme aimed at helping Small and Medium Enterprises and smallholder farmers gain competitiveness.The programme is funded by Danish Development Agency.
Selected companies will be rewarded with up to $45,000 to help them improve their services and productivity.
The programme would assist SMEs to regain competitiveness through investment in technology and upgrading market development.
In a statement, SNV said the SMEs should be committed to co-invest with the programme to ensure positive returns.
“SMEs should be committed to co-invest with the programme and they will also receive technical assistance to ensure that they get good returns,” read the statement.
The organisation said the programme facility is designed to strengthen and improve their productivity levels.
“This facility is designed to strengthen SMEs and improve productivity thereby improving their ability to successfully compete in domestic and international markets,” said the organisation.
“It is hoped that through this facility SMEs will be able to compete and give value to smallholder farmers which will improve their production levels and provide a readily available market for the farmers.”
The facility among other things is aimed at modernising management systems, improving production and marketing skills and increasing investment in skills and technology that will bring about growth and competitiveness in the sector.
The organisation said the facility would support different programmes from product development up to marketing and distribution systems.
“The areas of support include packaging and labelling, market development and distribution systems, new product development, efficient and effective procurement systems, introduction of technology, e-marketing and establishment of websites,” said the organisation.
Bongani Ndlovu