Africa-Press – Eswatini. The European Union (EU), International Trade Centre (ITC) and House on Fire, in collaboration with Eswatini Government, have partnered to provide an incubator programme for 10 budding MSMEs in the handcraft and artisanal food industries.
As part of the Artisanal Incubator Programme, the 10 up-and-coming Micro-Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) got a remarkable opportunity to showcase their products during the fifth edition of the Standard Bank Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival held last weekend at House on Fire in Malkerns. The event attracted over 9 000 attendees and 100 traders. The MSME will also have an opportunity to showcase their products in the upcoming and highly anticipated MTN Bushfire Festival to be held from May 30 to June 2, 2024. The Artisanal Incubator Programme is part of the ITC-Alliances for Action programme ‘Eswatini: Promoting growth through competitive alliances’ funded by the EU, whose main aim is to support job creation for small farmers, entrepreneurs, and artisans. ITC Project Operations Manager Mawenzi Dlamini said the Artisanal Incubator Programme is a one-year programme designed to support, capacitate, and grow 10 Swazi MSME brands and their products and business to become market ready.
Implemented
It is implemented by House on Fire, with their team of consultants including Dala Spaces, Khokho Collection founder, International MSME’s trainers, local food industry professionals and the House on Fire festival team, who manage over 200 traders a year through their various events, across food and hand-craft. The incubatees who have been selected to be part of the programme are; Sibongile Beverages, Patience Delights, Miss Biltong, Spice Sisters, Shunem Candle works, Indigenous Africana, Beads Emporium, Favourite, Babalo Food, and Benanial. They shared their excitement for the rare and first opportunity to trade in the country’s flagship food and lifestyle festival and experience first-hand feedback from customers.
EU Programme Officer Luis Miguel Pascoal said the EU has partnered with the ITC, Eswatini Government, and House on Fire because they believe that MSMEs are central to the transition to a sustainable and digital economy. “MSMEs are also the major drivers of innovation. They bring innovative solutions to challenges like climate change and social cohesion and can help spread this innovation throughout Eswatini. That is why the EU is working with the ITC, Eswatini Government, and House on Fire to support different types of MSMEs at different stages of growth to try and help them to maximise their potential,” he said.
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