By JAJAH COULIBALY –
THE Bank of Zambia and its collaborating partners have developed various initiatives under its National Strategy on Financial Education to provide people with the appropriate capacity to make informed financial decisions.
BoZ deputy Governor Tukiya Kankasa said the strategy, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Finance and other financial sector regulators will provide universal access and usage of a broad range of quality and affordable financial services that meet the needs of individuals and businesses.
Dr Kankasa said this in a speech read for her by BoZ director for non- banking financial institutions Visscher Bbuku at the first ever SMEs diploma graduation ceremony held at Lusaka’s Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday.
She also urged the graduating students to continue with their pursuits and take advantage of the various tools and resources gained to share, develop and implement the immense knowledge of financial sector policies, guidelines and standards in supporting the growth of the SME sector.
Zambia Institute of Banking and Financial Services president Cephas Chabu said it was very important for banks and financial service providers to have very well trained staff who are able tounderstand the needs of customers especially SMEs.
“I believe many of your presentations have included unique and innovative ways of developing and improving relations with both existing and potential SME customers which is very encouraging,” he said.
He implored most financial institutions to do their best and improve their customer base of SMEs to enable them develop in the years ahead.