CEDA's move to MTI to spur citizen empowerment

2010-01-20

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA), Dr Thapelo Matsheka has welcomed government's recent decision to transfer the Agency from the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) to the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

Dr Matsheka said the move is a welcome development because CEDA believes that for purposes of coordinating efforts around entrepreneurial development and citizen empowerment there is need for MTI to oversee all Government institutions geared towards addressing issues of entrepreneurship and SMME development.

"We think reporting to MTI, though belated, is welcome", said the CEO during a press conference CEDA hosted to announce its 2008/09 financial results.

He said as a Government's entrepreneurial development arm, CEDA's reporting to MTI will ensure synergies with entities responsible for other aspects of business development.

The transfer of the Agency to MTI follows a study on Rationalisation of Public Entities undertaken by PEEPA. The study involved a wider review of parastatals to align their mandates and find ways in which they may efficiently operate. The results of the study it was recommended that CEDA should report to MTI, which is the custodian of entrepreneurial development initiatives and policies such as SMME Policy.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is also responsible for other initiatives which, Dr Matsheka said, will directly benefit funded businesses.  He said the benefit derived by funded businesses will help the country with import substitution.

The CEO added that the move to MTI will result in improvement on access to government tenders for citizen companies in line with President Lt. General Seretse Khama Ian Khama's initiatives.

The use of locally manufactured goods and services by government, the CEO foresees it as encouraging and having the ability to improve access for SMMEs even from private sector procurement.

The CEO said advocacy for small businesses is ongoing and the aim is to have an SMME friendly environment.

Dr Matsheka said CEDA will continue operating as an independent entity from other organisations within the Ministry following the transfer. The CEO said contrary to media reports that CEDA and LEA are to merge, the two Agencies will in fact work together since their mandates are complementary. They will now have to review their existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and identify any gap that might exist.

 The CEO encouraged the Agency's staff to see to it that the transfer is successfully managed to ensure that there is improved efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery of the entrepreneurial development and empowerment drive.