CEDA responds to directive on small traders

The directive allows the traders to sell food and drinks in the offices. Matsheka told a press conference yesterday that the directive shows that there is a spirit of citizen empowerment at the highest office and finally the informal sector has been taken on board. 

He said that that there has been no clear commitment to remove obstacles hindering small business from progressing. He cited regulations, control and bureaucracy that the traders had to overcome before setting up a tuckshop in the city.  "The statement is timely in that we as CEDA are in the process of redefining our products. We want to break down our products to include micro-loans," he said. He talked about short-term loans that may be available for well-known small enterprises that have struggled for many years but have not had an opportunity to get funding from anywhere. For example, CEDA will now assist a vendor who has been doing business at a particular place for many years.