By HELEN ZULU –

THE Zambian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can provide an opportunity for Government to collect more taxes and contribute to economic growth but face financial challenges, says Agri-ProFocus Zambia, a Netherlands-originated firm.
Agri-ProFocus representative Claire van der Kleij said the SMEs and the Government were partners in increasing economic growth.
She said the Government could best help SMEs by promoting better channels for financing and investment for them.
Ms Kleij said the growth of SMEs had been proven to contribute to more job creation and poverty reduction.
“However, SMEs have had challenges accessing financial services due to the nature of their work often considered as risky sectors, like agriculture, or they do not have the required collateral to support the requirements to access a loan.
“Therefore, it is difficult for SMEs to grow and create jobs and incomes in Zambia hence the need for government to promote better channels for financing and investment for SMEs in the country,” Ms Kleij said.
Commenting on the Netherlands trade relationship with Zambia, Ms Kleij said the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands saw trade between the Netherlands and Zambia as a mutual beneficial relationship.
She said the Netherlands was the second biggest exporter in the world, especially in agricultural products, adding that the Netherlands was especially known for its innovative inputs and technology that could benefit agricultural production in Zambia.