Absa Bank Mozambique and the Institute for the Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises (IPEME) held a workshop to promote the “Mozyweb Startup”, a local content development project specially designed for women and young entrepreneurs focusing on the Tourism, Manufacturing, Agriculture, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Health and Transport sectors.
This is a multi-sectoral project, officially launched on 23 August in Maputo to provide technical assistance and financial support and aims to facilitate the establishment of links between SMEs and large companies, including government and non-governmental entities, promoting exchange and multi-sectoral approaches.
“The partnership between Absa and IPEME was made concrete through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, on the sidelines of the launch of Mozyweb, in an event witnessed by several personalities, with emphasis on the Minister of Industry and Trade, Silvino Moreno,” reveals the note to which DE had access.
According to the same statement, Absa and IPEME will support the improvement of businesses focused on technology and innovation, which have signed service contracts with the Bank’s anchor clients. The support also consists of capacitating women and young entrepreneurs to capture opportunities arising from the implementation of mega projects in the country, particularly in the oil and gas area.
This partnership will also trigger initiatives aimed at boosting local entrepreneurship and generating employment and income, creating wealth with a view to balanced and inclusive development of the communities.
Hermano Juvane, responsible for the Oil&Gas sector in Absa Bank, said that SMEs play a key role in boosting the national economy, being everyone aware of the current unemployment scenario that mainly comprises young people and vulnerable groups such as women.
“Through this project, we intend not only to be contributing to the labour arena of these groups, through the generation of new jobs, but also to the diversification of offers in the labour market through sustainable and relevant initiatives in society,” added Juvane.
For his part, César Mussagy, coordinator of the Mozyweb StartUp project, stressed that he is aware of the current development currents that have been the dictates of the performance of SMEs, which is why the project challenges them to invest in technological innovations that revolutionise the business models that the market is witnessing, stimulating efficiency, modernity and high level of productivity.
However, in light of its strategy to revitalise the business sector, Absa has provided special packages that stimulate and capitalise on economic growth, so supporting SMEs is a line of action, in a macro context, that aims to contribute significantly to the development of the business class in Mozambique.
