SAME MARKET ACCESS FOR MSMES, LARGER ENTERPRISES

MBABANE – Through the newly-launched certification scheme, government wants local MSMEs to have the same access to markets as larger enterprises.

Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo, said the new Ingelo Certification Scheme launched last week, seeks to assist local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to break down barriers of trade that have held them back for far too long.  “This certification scheme is not just about creating opportunities; it is about levelling the playing field,” he said. Khumalo said with the support of Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), they are committed to creating an ecosystem that recognises and values the contributions of these businesses to the economy. Khumalo urged all government-owned and supported enterprises to prioritise the growth of MSMEs and the agenda for quality inclusion.

Products

He said government’s commitment to this important initiative relies heavily on public enterprises making a conscious effort to integrate MSMEs development into their annual business plans. “I also request that the principal secretary in the ministry ensures that all budgets are dedicated to fostering MSMEs growth and quality inclusion. I am committed to collaborating with my colleagues in other ministries to advance this crucial cause,” said Khumalo. The name Ingelo is inspired by a local tool used for carving wood to form essential wooden products such as ‘umgcwembe’. Khumalo added that through this incubation certification scheme, they want to carve and support MSMEs, until they are ready produce quality and safe products that can attract export markets.

He said the scheme will work through various standards including a newly-developed national cottage standard developed by SWASA. This standard will ensure that the production sites and procedures or systems are safe and adhere to quality standards. The Ingelo Certification Scheme will initially start with 20 MSMEs that have already been selected and trained for the certification process. The chosen MSMEs will receive technical support and guidance to ensure their production cottage sites comply with established standards, along with additional assistance for certification and product testing services. The minister further announced that currently, over E300 000 has been allocated as an investment to assist the first 20 MSMEs with their certification process.

Cottages

These funds will cover the high costs of product testing given that we typically use accredited laboratories located outside the country. He said government will continue to invest in these initiatives, including the development of necessary laboratory facilities and production cottages, to ensure that more MSMEs can participate in the product certification process at minimal cost.

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