Human resources development assistance

Interim evaluation covered the period 10/93-9/95. Clark Atlanta University and Zambia"s Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry are implementing the project. The project is on track. In collaboration with Zambian training institutions and SME support institutions, it has trained 543 business owners and managers in basic and advanced financial and management skills, and 83 participants in business-related activities. Training has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on individual and institutional performance: 83% of respondents report that increased revenue/income, improved performance, and market access would not have occurred without training; 99% have used skills acquired through training; 53% have established books of accounts; 79% have prepared business plans and tenders for contracts; and 75% have increased their gross revenue, enabling them to but raw materials/equipment and diversity their products. The evaluation concludes that training is badly needed in he SME sector and plays a key role in entrepreneurship development and improvement. Participation of beneficiaries in design of the training programs in this project enhanced the training"s impact. A correlation was found between the number of workshops an entrepreneur attended and improved capacity and performance of his/her firm. Training has to be complemented by availability of credit, a major constraint for SMEs; banks need continuous and close liaison with SMEs in order to appreciate the opportunities of extending credit to the sector and to find practical ways of doing so. Finally, there is need for continuous monitoring of trainees to assess impact.