Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Shire Valley under the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Nasme) have lamented the poor business environment that has been brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.

This has been made known by the Regional Director for Nasme in the Shire Valley McClean Ndafakale who while Speaking to YFM said that due to the pandemic is has been hard to come by loans making it difficult for small scale businesses to find capital or additional money to sustain business.

He has further said that due to some restrictions such as social distancing it has made it harder for business people in the area to acquire relevant business material to ply their trade.

“Because of the pandemic it has become difficult to acquire loans such as the MDEG and NEEF loans which is making life extremely hard, this is besides the fact that business is slow due to COVID 19,” said Ndafakale.

He has since asked for assistance from relevant authorities to help in creating a conducive environment that will allow people to access loans.