CITI Bank launches the CITI-Micro entrepreneurship Awards 2014 in Kenya

The Citi-Micro entrepreneurship Awards 2014 was launched in the capital city of Nairobi by the chief executive of Citi Bank Kenya in a Nairobi hotel.

The objective of the 2014 Citi-Micro entrepreneurship Awards program is to illustrate and promote the effective role that the microfinance plays in poverty alleviation in Kenya. In particular, the program seeks to generate recognition for the extraordinary contributions that individual micro entrepreneurs have made to the economic sustainability of their families as well as their communities in Kenya.

Among the goals of the CMA Awards are:

To raise awareness and support of micro entrepreneurs by highlighting their talents and accomplishments among the investment and donor community throughout the world

To create the next generation of microfinance networks, build more inclusive financial sectors and lay the foundation for a flourishing microfinance industry

Among the invited guests during the launch were top officials from the Association Of Micro Finance Institutions (AMFI) , Citi Bank, CMA Awards advisory council and other invited guests.

MALAWI- NASME CALLS FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATIONS IN BUSINESS

 BY LAWRENCE LAZARUS

 National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Nasme) has  tipped local small scale entrepreneurs to embrace regional  integrations as the get way to penetrating the international market.
 
 Speaking in Lilongwe during a trade fare attended by traders from  Kenya Tanzania and Malawi, Nasme Director William Mwale  said through  international patnerships local traders can have an affordable  platform to reach the international market as well as learn how to  best approach the international market. "Through international partnerships local small scale entrepreneurs  can easily penetrate the international market. Normally it is hard for  local traders to just go and trade in Zambia, Tanzania or Kenya  because it would be too expensive but with partnerships they have that  platform," Mwale said.
 
 He said through such partnership the association has exposed small  scale entrepreneurs to international markets like Tanzania, Kenya and  India and that plans are in place to hold more of the trade fairs. One of the participating traders from Kenya Winnie Musaba held the  local market, saying despite the economy being in shambles business is  in better shape in the country hence urged small scale entrepreneurs  to take advantage of the tranquil atmosphere in the country.
 
 "Here in Malawi its so peaceful unlike in my country Kenya where we  are always in fear of Al shabab and other terrorist groups so I would  say Malawi is a good environment for business," Musaba.

PTA Bank supports the development and promotion of the SME Sector in Kenya

The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (PTA Bank) together with the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations teamed together to launch the Kafamily Crafts Market in Nairobi Kenya on 28^th July 2014.

 

Kafamily Crafts Market is an affiliate of the Maasai Market Development Trust and a member of the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations. The market is a recent attempt by the Curios and Crafts Sub- Sector of the SMEs sector in Kenya to dignify the way Maasai markets are managed and run in the country. It was established in response to the demand for quality handmade crafts and jewelry in the country as well as abroad.

The membership of the market includes the physically challenged, women yoth and various artisans who operate and produce from their homes.

During the launch, PTA Bank as part of their CSR donated materials to the kafamily  crafts market community in an effort to support their entrepreneurship initiative.

The launch was presided by Ms Mary Kamari, PTA Bank head of corporate affairs and investor relations, and Mr. Richard Muteti, Chief Executive of the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali associations. Mr. Richard Muteti is also the Chairman of the COMESA Business Council SMEs Workgroup. Other invited guests included Ms. Lydia Gachari,  Director of Programs, Small and Medium Enterprise Support -East Africa (SMES-EA) and the CEO of the Micro and Small Enterprises  Authority. 

the SME Sector  highly appreciates the support and collaboration with the PTA Bank.