The aim of the MOU is for SMEC and KIK to cooperate in promotion, youth and development of new and existing micro, small and medium enterprises involved in the coconut industry.
As part of the MOU, the certified trainers of trainers from KIK will now partner with SMEC to deliver SIYB training.
This will include providing other business development and advisory services for the development, growth and promotion of MSMEs in the coconut industry.
The agreement was signed last Friday between SMEC managing director Petrus Ralda and KIK managing director Allan Aku.
The partnership will allow for both parties to work in collaboration, share resources in terms of training, information sharing and capacity.
Mr. Ralda said given limited funding, partnership is vital to drive government’s agenda on improving the SME sector.
“Through this partnership, KIK and SME cooperation will be able to leverage resources and skills and knowledge in terms of functionality with respect to our different functions.
“We can leverage and align our roles, our policies and plans, and then we can cost-effectively implement government policies.
“That’s why all agencies, economic sector agencies, need to come together, align our policies, integrate alignment from the national level,”Mr Ralda said.
Mr. Aku said the partnership is important to them because KIK has SMEs that have developed but needed training on how to operate as a business.
“It helps us because we have the technical knowledge to produce the product, process and downstream process and produce the product.”