MONROVIA — The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has concluded a four-day training program for 195 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across Ganta, Nimba, and Montserrado Counties.
The training, which took place from September 24-28, 2024, included 84 female participants and focused on enhancing the sustainability and competitiveness of MSMEs.
UNIDO is implementing the GROW-2 technical cooperation project, funded by the Embassy of Sweden, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of Liberia. The project aims to increase income and employment opportunities by developing MSMEs within key agro-based value chains in Liberia. GROW-2 supports initiatives that promote production, processing, value addition, and market access.
During the opening session, Dr. Charles Kwame Sackey, Chief Technical Advisor of the Division of SME Competitiveness, emphasized the clinic’s importance for MSMEs.
“The MSMEs clinic was designed to bring together various experts, who are otherwise not easily accessible, into a one-stop shop where MSMEs had the opportunity to address issues that hinder their productivity and competitiveness,” said Dr. Sackey. He added that the clinic aimed to provide tailored support and expert guidance to business owners and entrepreneurs from diverse MSME sectors.
Dr. Sackey explained that the clinic served as a platform for MSMEs to access advisory services on key areas such as financial management, social media branding, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance (including quality standards and taxes).
Mr. Jekeh Forkpah Koiyan, Assistant Minister for Small Business Administration at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, also highlighted the event’s significance, noting that it allowed the Ministry to connect with MSMEs and address the challenges they face. He stressed that this aligns with the government’s agenda to make MSMEs more competitive in Liberia.
On behalf of the Ministry of Commerce, Minister Koiyan praised the GROW-2 Liberia initiative, funded by the Embassy of Sweden and implemented by UNIDO, for its valuable contributions.
Mawehn Koenig, a chocolate processor in Monrovia, remarked that the program was a great initiative, providing invaluable insights for business owners and addressing critical areas essential to the growth and sustainability of MSMEs. Koenig expressed confidence that it would have a lasting positive impact on Liberia’s agro-business community.
The event brought together key government entities, including the Ministry of Commerce (MoCI), Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), and Liberia Standards Authority (LiSA), as well as experts, business development specialists, Made in Liberia representatives, and lending institutions such as Ecobank and Bloom Bank.
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