SMEs schooled on procurement plans, tender notices
A business networking forum has been held for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
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The one-day seminar was meant to expose the SMEs to top-notch foreign and Ghanaian businesses based in the country to learn about procurement plans and tender notices of the African Partner Pool (APP) companies.
The APP is developed by Invest In Africa (IIA), an organisation set up by Tullow, Lonrho and other companies to tackle shared private sector challenges and help local businesses stand shoulder high and bid for competitive contracts.
Various sessions were held for the SMEs which equipped them with information and knowledge on business opportunities that exist in the APP-buying companies and how they can be utilised.
Boost for local SMEs
Addressing the inaugural APP business networking forum for SMEs in Ghana, the Ghana Manager of IIA, Mr Sam Brandful, said the APP had come in handy to help Ghanaian SMEs.
According to him, it was the vision of the IIA to make the APP the major sourcing tool to be used by companies in their procurement process.
He indicated that IIA had put adequate measures in place to ensure the growth of local businesses, with one being the sourcing of funds for them.
The IIA recently signed a $1million African Development Bank (AfDB) grant that will enable it to support a unique business skills training programme for Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana.
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IIA will use the grant provided by the AfDB’s Fund for Private Sector Assistance (FAPA) to implement a Business Linkage Programme designed to upgrade the capabilities of selected SMEs registered on IIA’s APP online directory.
Mr Brandful called on businesses to be registered on the APP platform to enable them to meet blue-chip companies that would propel their businesses to greater heights.
He added that being on the APP platform would enhance transparency and visibility for local enterprises and open a lot of doors for them to the world market.
AGI lauds initiative
The Director of Finance and Administration of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), Mr Nathaniel Quarcoopome, lauded the initiative by the IIA.
Mr Quarcoopome, who spoke on behalf of the AGI President, Mr James Asare-Adjei, called on indigenous industries and companies to make use of the online platform.
As an association, Mr Quarcoopome said the AGI would ensure that its members benefitted from the platform.