Government has revealed that it will this year put in place a piece of legislation for business startups that is aimed at helping Small Medium Enterprises SMEs to grow.
Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati said this yesterday at the Jacaranda Hub/Next Generation National Ideas Convention in Lusaka, which has attracted 100 innovative youths aged between 18 and 35.
Mr. Mutati said once put in place, the legislation for business startups will be a complete ecosystem that will among other things create an enabling environment for the startups and crank up their ideas.
Mr. Mutati said it is the New Dawn Government’s roadmap for the year
2022 to create startups that will make a difference by seizing opportunities as a creative force for change that will create jobs for many.
And Mr. Mutati said government wants to stretch the available public resource in an optimized and integrated manner, working closely with the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development as well as the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts.
He said institutions under the Ministry of Technology and Science has over K10 million to support startups and innovation, but from the government’s perspective, this is not sufficient hence the need to integrate with other ministries.
Mr. Mutati said his ministry is engaging the other two ministries with financing for empowerment schemes in order for other funds to be used to support startups which would then attract cooperating partners’ support.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mutati has urged business startups not to underestimate their potential to additional job creation as growing business ventures.