LOCAL Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) have been urged to become innovative if they are to compete favourably on the market and help Government create jobs and wealth.

Launching the Global Entrepreneurship week in Lusaka, Commerce, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Richard Taima said local SMEs needed to fully ultise their potential for meaningful development to take place.

"I wish to urge you SMEs to unleash your potential, come up with strategies that will continue to enhance the state of your businesses so that you can become even more competitive at the regional and international levels," he said.

This year's global entrepreneurships week is being celebrated under the theme "Unleashing ideas"

Mr Taima said this event was important in the sense that it enhanced activities of SMEs aimed at exploiting their potential.