The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Handicrafts, Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo, and the President of the Congress of Business Leaders of Congo, Paul Nestor Mouandzibi Ndinga, signed a memorandum of understanding on August 29 in Brazzaville aimed, in a global manner, at synergy for the development of SMEs.
For Paul Nestor Mouandzibi Ndinga, the partnership agreement concluded between the two entities illustrates the importance of public-private partnership to stimulate innovation, growth and job creation. “I firmly believe that partnership transcends simple collaboration, it symbolizes our commitment to strengthening the capacities of SMEs and artisans, preparing them to thrive on the global stage and building a silent economy facing the challenges of the 21st century . Also, this protocol marks a decisive turning point towards inclusive and sustainable economic development. It is the beginning of a concrete action, a synergy that, I am sure, will bear lasting fruits for our country ,” he said.
According to the secretary of the Congress of Business Leaders of Congo, Marius Mavoungou, this memorandum of understanding is part of the missions of the said congress because being an employers’ group, it is very important for them to maintain public-private dialogue. “We have set up a series of missions with ministries. Today’s signing is a first step and it was done with the Ministry of SMEs. This allows us to enter their strategic think tank on protectionist issues in order to be able to promote made in Congo products for export, assist the ministry in its efforts, in its search for business partnerships. It is, basically, working in synergy,” he said.
Marius Mavoungou also indicated that this agreement will be beneficial not only for the Congress, but also for local entrepreneurs because, he said, it is about promoting local content. “This partnership is really an opening of opportunity in technical, financial, industrial support terms, because we must move towards industrialization,” he said.
The Minister responsible for SMEs welcomed this partnership. She also recalled that the role of public authorities is to support, facilitate, and ensure that the vision of the Head of State is implemented while meeting the needs of entrepreneurs so that they can evolve. “I am happy to see everything you are doing, the dynamism of the Congress of Business Leaders of Congo, and I can only congratulate you. I know that we can do a lot with this partnership that we have just sealed, which will promote ongoing dialogue, ongoing exchanges between you and us so that we, as public authorities, support you in the face of the difficulties you face in order to make this space that we have in our country, a pleasant and conducive land for entrepreneurship already. Also, in the outlook, we have major activities that we will not be able to carry out without you,” stressed Minister Jacqueline Lydia Mikolo.
At the same time, she announced the upcoming resumption of the concept of “Business Fridays “, a framework for exchanges between project leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, employers and public authorities initiated by the supervisory authority.
