By Lindani Maseko
60 women-led local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) received about E3 million (EUR 150 000) in funding to establish a beef lot project.
This was revealed by the Under Secretary & Acting Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Industry & Trade Cebile Nhlabatsi, during the 5th Programme Steering Committee Meeting of the Regional Enterprise Competitiveness and Access to Markets Programme (RECAMP) at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Mbabane, yesterday.
RECAMP is a programme that aims to improve the competitiveness and market access of private sector businesses in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
The support is part of the RECAMP program, which focuses on increasing private sector participation in both regional and global value chains.
Funded by the European Union (EU), RECAMP targets the enhancement of business competitiveness and market access within the COMESA region.
Nhlabatsi indicated that the funding will empower the SMEs to elevate their production capacity, improve product quality, and facilitate entry into broader regional markets.
Further, as RECAMP approached its final phase, Nhlabatsi stressed the importance of capitalizing on the program’s successes to maintain momentum.
She described RECAMP as a strategic stepping stone toward deeper economic integration, market-driven development, and sustainable value chain competitiveness.
Nhlabatsi urged all stakeholders to remain committed to collaboration, institutionalize best practices, scale up impactful interventions, and adapt to the evolving global trade landscape.
“I call upon everyone involved to work together to ensure that the progress we’ve made is not only sustained but also expanded,” she added.
In addition, COMESA Assistant General Dr. Mohamed Kadah confirmed that COMESA and the EU signed a E750 million program on Trade Competitiveness and Market Access.
Dr. Kadah expressed confidence that the program would significantly contribute to economic growth, regional integration, and the overall development of the region.
He mentioned that the new program, would adopt a different approach by involving third-party implementing partners, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the International Trade Center (ITC).
“Our focus is to ensure continuity between the achievements under RECAMP and the objectives of the new Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme,” he stated.
Kadah highlighted that a variety of activities had been implemented through RECAMP to support SMEs and select players in targeted value chains. He further mentioned that the primary focus areas included increasing competitiveness and improving market access for SMEs.
“Our SMEs are now better equipped to identify potential markets within the region and understand key requirements for exporting their products. They can seize new market opportunities,” he explained.
Improvements in product quality standards, advancements in branding, and better traceability of products were noted as significant outcomes of RECAMP’s funding.
“We have further assembled 300 diverse investment opportunities in member states,” he highlighted.