Small Business Assistance Program
The Government’s Small Business Assistance Program was established in October 2018 dubbed as the Small Business Support Unit which operated as an agency under the Ministry of Trade from 2008 to 2014. However, from 2015-2019 the program operated under the Ministry of Commerce, Enterprise and Small Business Development. Furthermore, the Unit was established to help micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) overcome financial and technical challenges and contribute to national development. Government injection of funds in these businesses is primarily to create sustainable livelihoods. Its core functions are as follows:
- To deliver training to small and medium size enterprises in areas such as financial management, marketing, customer service, business management and legalities, time management, business continuity, business fiduciary responsibility and personal and professional development.
- To provide advice, advocacy, and hand-holding support to small and medium enterprises
- To make financing available to micro, small and medium size enterprises
- To implement Government’s Small Business Policy Strategies