National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) in partnership with the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) is conducting assessments of youth-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to help them formalise their businesses.
Speaking during the exercise, one of the senior officials from NYCOM, Felix Chiyenda, said currently they are reaching out to young entrepreneurs from Chikwawa, Mulanje, Thyolo and Blantyre districts.
Chiyenda said recently the Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MBS, which will enable youth entrepreneurs to pay 50 percent of the required certification fees to have their products certified by MBS.
He said they are assessing young people who registered with the Council and clearly outlined their business visions, to assist them to have their products certified by MBS adding that through this arrangement.
Commenting on the exercise, MBS official Luckson Zidana said he is impressed with the interest shown by the youth to follow proper procedures to have their businesses certified by MBS, which will help their businesses to grow.
Jane Zekeya, who manufactures dishwashing liquid soap and Beatrice Chifulemba who runs a packaged nuts business, thanked NYCOM for partnering with MBS, saying this will encourage more young people to take their businesses seriously and help their visions to progress.
NYCOM in collaboration with MBS has managed to reach at least 40 youth entrepreneurs through the assessment exercise.
By Chifundo Mota
