Manzini – Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo has called for a more integrated support system for micro, small and medium enterprises to help entrepreneurs gain access to skills, finance, technology, standards and markets.
Khumalo was speaking on Tuesday during the AeTrade Group Integrated Ecosystem Dialogue at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini.
The dialogue was held under the theme, “Unlocking Opportunity: Connecting Youth, Enterprise, Finance and Markets for Jobs and Growth.” 
The minister said business support programmes should not operate separately if the country wants enterprises to grow beyond survival stage and create jobs.
He said training alone was not enough where entrepreneurs could not access funding, while finance would also have limited value if businesses were unable to reach markets.
Khumalo added that access to markets would remain difficult for enterprises that could not meet required quality standards.
He said government interventions needed to work together to assist businesses from establishment to sustainability, from survival to growth, and from local trading to regional and international markets.
The minister said digital platforms, including the AeTrade ecosystem, could help connect Eswatini businesses with customers, suppliers, investors and markets outside their immediate locations.
He said government remained focused on enterprise development, industrialisation, trade, investment, innovation and job creation as Eswatini prepares for the next stage of its development.
Khumalo said young people should not only benefit from development programmes but should take an active role in driving the country’s economic transformation.
