THE challenge of raising capital was again identified as one of the thorny issue in the SME sector, at a one-day SMEs Development Conference held in Windhoek yesterday.

The event in its second year running and organised by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was held under the theme 'Maximising SMEs Share in the Local Market'.

Speaker after speaker spoke on how small and medium sized enterprises could benefit from established corporates, and what they could offer.

However, some SME operators in attendance were not impressed saying most of these platforms were used to sell big companies and not really addressing the plight of SMEs.

"They say the same things all the time, but following through is the problem," said one entrepreneur who opted for anonymity.

The local business people said it would be best if at such platforms, SMEs were the main speakers so that they could share their stories and difficulties.

In the same vein they however welcomed such events saying they were able to exhibit and showcase their products and services and also interact with important stakeholders.

"All is not lost because we meet important business partners, but events like this should be dominated by SMEs themselves and not the sponsors who are normally international firms."

Yesterday's conference was sponsored by Standard Bank and Cell One, who each had slice of the prime time marketing what their companies can do for and with SMEs.

NCCI Chief Executive Officer, Tarah Shaanika lamented the late payments for services rendered to established companies by SMEs.

The NCCI also called for the review of Government and private sector procurement policies so as to bring in SMEs into winning lucrative tenders.

The chamber in its statement on the conference, said the "real shift in policy must be to continue to nurture, support and encourage growth within the SMEs sector to become more productive and competitive".

SMEs are particularly vulnerable to unfair competitive practices which usually prevent them from clinching tenders to provide goods and services to bigger firms.

Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Government was mulling a mechanism to facilitate SMEs' access to working capital by allowing the ceding of income from public contracts.

"Government is a major procurer of goods and services.

The public procurement system is currently under review to strengthen support to local enterprise development ,especially SMEs.

The review also includes aspects to optimise the use of public procurement to develop the local economy," she said.

Official data shows that the local SME sector plays a vital role through an estimated contribution of over 40 per cent to the GDP and employs more than 50 per cent of Namibia's total workforce.