Business
Nominated Senator of the ruling party UDA Miraj Abdillahi has encouraged Mombasa Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to form SACCOs to access affordable credits and government grants to boost their businesses.
Speaking at the Fort Jesus during a two-day expo organized by Ishamr Halal Traders Expo Limited Senator Abdillahi told the more than 50 exhibitors that there’s safety in numbers.
“Let’s cooperate and love one another and form groups recognized by the government because it’s not easy for the government to assist individuals. When we cooperate and put our efforts together we will be able to get government grants akin to our counterparts in other regions,” said Abdillahi.
The traders were urged to utilize the knowledge gained from the exhibition to expand their businesses. The Senator extolled the founders of the expo for the innovative idea, aimed at spurring business growth and it perfectly aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The senator promised to ensure the traders are enlightened on the various government programs that target small traders like the Hustler Fund to access capital.She further noted that the government has set up a Public Wi-Fi at the Mackinnon market famously known as Marikiti in the Mvita constituency and the New Magongo handicraft market in the Changamwe constituency to enhance e-commerce.
“I would also like a free Wi-Fi set up in Fort Jesus so that every weekend business persons can showcase their products,” stated Abdillahi. On her part, the founder of the Expo Aisha Omar, a banker by profession said apart from the exhibition they help the vendors in marketing, branding, and creating awareness during the exhibitions.
“As much as they have their sales during that time even after the expo we help them network, get the products outside Kenya and we support them in their journey and we finance them too,” said Omar.
The organization will soon roll out loans to the micro traders as envisioned in their vision to uplift traders at the bottom. Similar expos have been held in Nairobi, Mombasa and Malindi with over 300 vendors attending. “Every expo they keep increasing even the forum of the business training program we give them for free because digital marketing is on an upward trajectory.
Hamisi Kiwaka, Managing Director of the Expo said they aim to help small traders to grow and have started the registration of members to be divided into groups to get government support. Fatma Swaleh, a perfume trader said the expo gives them exposure, network and get many clients.
She urged online traders to attend the expos as they enhance their businesses’ visibility.