Develop managerial skills - Bartels

Accra, Jan. 24, GNA - Mr Kwamina Bartels, Minister of Private Sector Development and President's Special Initiatives designate, said one of the major problems confronting small-scale enterprises was the lack of managerial and administrative skills rather than the availability of credit facilities.

He said his experience from the Ministry shows that most entrepreneurs do not know how to go about their businesses and the capacity to have access to credit.

Mr. Bartels said his Ministry was helping in the training of entrepreneurs in managerial and capacity building techniques as well as putting together a directory on sources of funding for small-scale enterprises.

Mr. Bartels said this when he appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament, which is vetting nominees for ministerial positions.

The Minister-designate said there were funds available to small-scale industries to access and that his ministry would help create opportunities for the enterprises to enable them repay the loans.

"There are possibilities of helping them acquire contracts as well as creating conditions for growth in order to enhance their businesses." He said he did not totally agree with the removal of subsidies on agricultural inputs and produce since most developed countries still subsidised goods and services.

Mr. Bartels said the President's Special Initiative (PSI) enhances foreign exchange build up of the country since it was helping to resist external shocks in price fluctuation of traditional exports like cocoa, gold and timber.