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This NAG Forum e-briefing on the National Economic Empowerment Policy and Action Programme is intended to summarize the Policy and to stimulate discussion on the part of the business community.
Background
The draft National Economic Empowerment Policy and Strategy (NEEPS) sets out how Government (GoM) will address the complex issue of economic empowerment of Malawians. Part 1 includes the situation analysis and policy statements. Part 2 is an action programme, comprised of actions to implement each of the policies listed in Part 1. The total budget for the NEEPS would be MK 2,316 million. Part 3 is an analysis of previous empowerment initiatives in Malawi, and an analysis of other initiatives in the region to see what can be learnt from their relative successes and failures.
The NEEPS is still in draft and will be discussed by GoM in the near future. Feedback from stakeholders is welcomed (to nag@globemw.net and epd@malawi.net). The full document or Parts 1-3 separately is available from the above sources.
The remainder of this briefing quotes from part 1 of the document. In the case of policies that have action plans, the total cost of implementing the plan (from Part 2 of the Strategy) is indicated.
Definitions and targets
Economic empowerment is defined as: "Improving the livelihood of Malawians through increased access to economic factors of production, and various facilities that enhance the potential for engaging in businesses and other income generating activities. These activities may be in the form of wage employment or business ventures".
The following economic empowerment policy objectives will govern the initiative:
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To promote the socio-economic transformation of the poor in Malawi for meaningful participation in the economy;
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To facilitate the acquisition, management and control of productive assets by the citizens of Malawi;
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To increase the ownership and control of new and existing enterprises by Malawians;
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To increase access to land and infrastructure and the transfer of skills to the poor especially women, disabled and the youth in Malawi;
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To improve access to finance for the poor and other entrepreneurs in Malawi;
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To facilitate the transfer of technology to the economically disempowered;
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To develop and grow an affluent middleclass in Malawi;
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To build the capacity of Malawians to own and manage their own enterprises and their ability to make their own decisions and choices; and
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To effectively liaise with the relevant institutions in addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The policy targets all those indigenous [emphasis in original document] Malawians who at the moment face constraints to the realisation of their full potential to participate and to excel in business ventures. They may want to participate in a micro, small, medium or large-scale business venture, but are facing various constraints, or may already be operating businesses. The development of enterprises, their growth and survival is key to empowering Malawians on a sustainable basis."
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- 53Kb < 1min (5 pages)
