Date set for launch of Small and Medium Enterprise handbook

The second edition of the comprehensive SME Handbook providing vital information on service providers in the SME sector will be launched in Nairobi next week.  

The Handbook is a project by Small and Medium Enterprise Support, East Africa (SMES, EA) and is being produced and published in collaboration with several stakeholders from the private and public sector in Kenya.  

The first edition of the SME Handbook was launched in September, 2011 and adopted by the government and key institutions, as a reference publication in the Business Information Centers (BICs) situated across the country.  

The second edition has been updated to reflect the current dynamics of the ever-growing information needs by SMEs under the new Constitution.

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‘‘The book will also for the first time give special attention to the now devolved services,’’ explains Richard Muteti, Team Leader of the SME Handbook Secretariat.

SMEs have been cited as one of the key sectors expected to drive Kenya’s Economic growth. This sector is also expected to provide the bulk of jobs for youth in line with Vision 2030 objectives. 

The book will be distributed through the various apex member organizations in the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Women and Young Entrepreneurs sector, national and county business information centers among other outlets. 

SMEs, especially those located upcountry; have major problems accessing business services largely because there is little awareness of what the market is offering. 

“We are excited to finalize the Second Edition of the SME Handbook. Lack of knowledge on where to access business services and products by small businesses continues to be a major obstacle to their development and growth,’’ said Muteti.

He added scanty information about the market is also hindering SMEs from taking advantage of emerging opportunities. ‘‘The Handbook therefore, comes in to seal that gap,” he added.

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is currently one of the fastest growing sectors in Kenya. The sector has been identified by both the Government and her development partners as a key sector in the country’s economic growth, wealth creation, and generation of jobs. 

One of the salient features of the sector is its diversity. It encompasses a wide cross-section of activities, regions, and entrepreneurs. It also encompasses numerous service providers, many of whom have been formed specifically to service the sector, but also many organizations that have formed specialist divisions to address the sector’s needs.

This diversity brings the biggest challenge players in this sector face - just who is providing what, at what costs, where are they based. What assistance from various organizations- Government Institutions (Departments and Parastatals), Private Institutions, Development partners and NGOs is available to players in this sector? 

Cutting through this maze is what the SME Handbook (catalogue) is formed to do; it will provide an easy to use reference document for players in the MSME sector. This one-stop-shop provides a countrywide map of people giving these services, so that players from across the country know where to get assistance in their own locality, or whom to contact for any services they may wish to contract. 

A major outcome of this Handbook is to spur demand for SME services and products as players in the sector find it easier to seek out those offering the various services in their areas. This is one of the advantages of awareness for those who partner on their services in this catalogue.