Change in performance of Mozlink SMEs
The Mozlink program started in July 2003 and is due to finish in June 2005. Hence this review was conducted two months before the formal end of the program, and therefore cannot provide commentary on the program as a whole. Nevertheless, it is clear that, as planned, 25 SMEs were prequalified for the program, including 12 already supplying Mozal (of which 8 were also suppliers under SMEELP 2), and 13 being supported through training etc to achieve significant improvement in standards.
An initial assessment was made of all firms on the Mozlink program, to establish a baseline measure of competence on four factors - quality, business management, maintenance and safety. The 12 SMEs in the first stage were re-tested five months later and showed, on average, a marked improvement in scores against all criteria:
|
Criteria |
% score in relation to the required standard at the beginning of the program |
% score in relation to the required standard five months later |
|
Quality |
30% |
48% |
|
Business management |
40% |
60% |
|
Maintenance |
25% |
78% |
|
Safety |
40% |
70% |
Standards of quality and management showed least improvement, suggesting that these factors will take longer to get right than the technical compliance issues regarding maintenance and safety. According to Mozal, approximately US$13m of supplies have been provided by local SMEs under the Mozlink program. Overall, Mozal and the SMEs interviewed were very complimentary about the program design and effectiveness.
There has been a delay in delivering mentoring to individual firms, and many SMEs appeared to be unaware that this component is even part of Mozlink program. However, the problems causing the delay have been addressed, and it is expected that business mentoring will be completed for 12 companies by the end of the June. Mozal mentors are also working on the technical mentoring (quality, health & safety and maintenance).
