The government has vowed to address corruption loopholes in the tendering and procurement processes that have denied Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) tenders worth millions of shillings.
MSMEs Development Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni says the government has rolled out reforms which will enhance digitization of tendering processes in order to ensure transparency.
Speaking during United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) possibilities forum held in Nairobi today, PS Mang’eni acknowledged that lack of capacity has hampered many MSMEs efforts, to acquire tenders from the government.
According to PS Mang’eni, the UNOPS possibilities forums is the first of its kind in the country geared towards sensitizing kenya MSMEs on available markets opportunities and how to access them.
“It’s only MSMEs who are in urban areas or who have got networks who could access the opportunities. But we are now opening spaces in the grass roots to ensure anywhere you are, you can be reached.” The PS noted.
Further, she assured players in the MSMEs sector of comprehensive review in the licensing processes to make it easier for them to conduct their businesses.
Regarding the payment of pending bills, PS Mang’eni has urged public agencies to fast-track auditing processes and payment existing pending bills by the end of the current financial year.
“The president has set up a task force to look into this pending bills issues and see what is the best way for settling that because most of the people affected are the MSMEs.” She added.
Meanwhile PS Mang’eni decried what she termed unnecessary barriers which are affecting local MSME efforts to access international markets.
She has also vowed the government’s commitment to curb the unfair competition from imports that are fairly cheap compared to the goods produced by MSMEs in the country.
“In addition, the preference by consumers to imported goods does not encourage production and innovation of goods and services produced by the sectors in the domestic markets.” The PS observed.
