The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has launched the Manufacturing SME Hub that is geared towards helping manufacturing SMEs to take full advantage of the available markets.
The Hub will seek to address challenges affecting SMEs in the country. These challenges include unfriendly policies and regulatory regime, tedious and lengthy process in quality standards and certifications, access to markets, access to affordable finance and poor governance structures.
Speaking during the launch, KAM Chairman, Mr Sachen Gudka noted that the Association is keen on supporting the development of inclusive, innovative, sustainable and competitive SME Sector in Kenya and in the region.
“In line with the Association’s core mandate, the Hub will focus on furthering fact-based advocacy to promote the global competitiveness of manufacturing SMEs. This is aimed at instilling SME policy and institutional sustainability on matters legal and regulatory, fiscal policy, intellectual property rights and patenting, and regulatory compliance services, among others. 62% of KAM Members are SMEs. We recognize that SMEs are the primary beneficiaries of steps to streamline regulatory compliance. We also recognize that it is critical to formalize the informal segment of the SME sector through the promotion and simplification of business start-up operations.”
The KAM SME Hub will also offer incubation services, acceleration services and scale up services to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises respectively. Incubation Services include start-up support, financial literacy programs, business rescue advice, SME boot camps and mentoring services. On the other hand, Acceleration Services include market linkages, financial linkages, study tours and training, standards and certification support, and mentoring and coaching support whereas Scale-Up Services will provide value chain linkages, financial linkages and export market linkages.