It will soon be easier for youth in Uasin Gishu County to start a business.
According to County’s Trade and Industrialization Executive Eng. Martha Cheruto, they are currently working on coming up with a policy that will see youths get favourable payment terms for their business permits.
Eng. Cheruto says the policy is part of fulfilling Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim’s pledge to enhance youth participation in entrepreneurship.
The pledge is contained in the governor’s Nguzo Kumi development blueprint.
“We are developing a policy around pro-rata payment on matters permits so that for the youth, especially those starting, they won’t have to pay the entire permit as a bulk but they will do pro-rata,” said the Trade County Executive.
She further noted that the policy will look at months in which the permit payments can be made for youth-led businesses.
Development of the policy is being spearheaded by the County Trade Committee in partnership with the Uasin Gishu County Assembly Trade Committee.
Currently, there are no laws within the county that gives incentives for the youths to start their businesses.
Ease of doing business
But even as the county seeks to help more youths engage in entrepreneurship, Eng. Cheruto has also assured the business community of its commitment to improving the ease of doing business.
She said they have been engaging traders and other stakeholders on a regular basis – a move that seeks to collect views on how best to improve the sector.
Meanwhile, the Trade Executive revealed that the county received Ksh7.5 million from Stanbic Bank to help cushion traders from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The two recently partnered to train over 212 entrepreneurs and 150 youths on business management issues.
