The Small & Medium Enterprises Support (SMES) has launched its Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) handbook which is aimed at providing resourceful information to players in the sector. The Youth Enterprise Development Fund is one of the SME support organizations that are featured in the handbook. The handbook is meant to serve as a reference point for persons wanting to venture into business as well as those already in business and looking for service providers to address their varied needs at their respective point of business. The Handbook was launched by the Minister for Trade Hon. Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere on 14^th September 2011 at the Laico Regency.

Trade Minister Chirau Mwakwere (centre) is assisted to launch the SME handbook. On his right is Mr. Richard Muteti, SME Handbook Project Team Leader. Mr. Muteti  is also a director at the YEDF.

Hon. Chirau Ali Mwakwere lauded the efforts undertaken to make the publication a reality adding that it would provide easy accessibility of services throughout Kenya. He acknowledged the SME sector for the key role it plays in driving the country’s economy especially in the government’s endeavor to transform Kenya into a middle level economy as envisaged in the blueprint of Vision 2030.  He pledged his Ministry’s support to the sector by introducing programmes and projects such as wholesale hubs, retail markets and finalizing the Micro and Small Enterprises bill to empower the SME sector. “The SME is a sure way to eliminate poverty, create wealth and employment and my Ministry will strategize how to create an enabling environment for this sector, with the realization that it is the key pillar if the country is to realize its vision 2030” he said.

The SME handbook team leader, Mr. Richard Muteti, who is also a director at the Youth Fund, said that the Handbook would provide specific and relevant information to business people on how and where to access various service providers in order to manage their businesses better. He challenged the government to support the SME sector which constitutes 8.6 million business people by doing business with them. “ SME wants to do business with the government, be it servicing of vehicles, buying products and even passing laws that create an enabling environment for them to operate in” he said.

The handbook was a collaborative effort involving players from the private sector, government and development partners, including the Youth Fund. The handbook has been structured into four categories; information on the sector, for those looking to start business and need to understand what the sector is all about. Information on business and skills, to enhance knowledge on the key aspects that drive business, information on where to access government services as well as on Business Member Associations that support the growth and development of small businesses in the country.

The Youth Enterprise Development Fund

The Youth Enterprise Development Fund has been a key player in the SME sector. The Fund provides loans, market support and linkages, entrepreneurship training and other business development services. Users of the SME handbook will be able to access information on what services the Fund offers, and how they can access them.