Swazi SMMEs benefit from LEA alliance

| Friday October 8, 2010 00:00

The alliance is a result of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that was signed by the two countries in September last year, to formalise the relationship between SEDCO and its Botswana counterpart, LEA.

SEDCO Marketing Manager Fanelwako Fakudze said among other objectives, mutually beneficial outcomes for the SMMEs from the collaboration of the two institutions included synergies for market access, facilitation of access to technology and other business advisory services that could be provided on some forms of exchange programmes.

Last year, LEA amd SEDCO signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) that was meant to assist local SMMEs partner with their Botswana counterparts. This is supposed to be achieved in the form of exporting raw materials and joint ventures, as there is a lot of activity taking place within the region.

He said through the MoU, the two institutions wanted to jointly cooperate on exploiting technical assistance opportunities, sharing information, jointly lobbying for legislative and policy reforms affecting Botswana and Swaziland's SMME sector.

Fakudze said it also aimed at promoting and developing exports among Botswana and Swaziland enterprises as well as promoting entrepreneurship values and traits through sports and cultural activities between LEA and SEDCO staff and clients.

'The two organisations are very optimistic that this relationship will enable the SMME sector in the two countries to flourish,' he said.

Last week, SEDCO hosted LEA on a four-day visit into the country, which lasted until Monday.

The purpose of the visit was for the two institutions to mix in a social level while also taking the advantage to share information on programmes that the two institutions are involved in, to share experiences as well as challenges facing the SMME sector.