An innovative Business Development Service (BDS) application and the Ghana Business Directory for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have been launched in Accra to boost business operations among SMEs and other value chain operators. The Business Advisory Services Providers Association of Ghana (BASPAG) and the Chamber of Agribusiness Ghana (CAG) launched the two platforms intended to offer business development services to SMEs in Ghana. This was with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Feed the Future Ghana Trade and Investment (GTI) Activity. The app and directory's initial deployment phase would benefit 200 SMEs and institutions in the country over the next six to 12 months. 'The BDS application and Ghana Business Directory provide business development services, listings and profiling, searches, and discoveries, and cater specifically to the needs of Ghanaian SMEs, particularly those in the agribusiness sector.' 'Envisioned as comprehensive resource h ubs, the new application and directory offer SMEs easy access to various business development services,' Mr Nikaj van Wees, Chief of Party, USAID Feed the Future Ghana GTI, said at the launch. 'By leveraging these digital tools, SMEs find expert advice, training programmes, financial services, market information, similar businesses, partnership opportunities, and other essential resources necessary for their growth and sustainability.' He said the two apps were catalysts for improving economic growth and ensuring that all businesses had the opportunity to grow. It would also enable SMEs to thrive and be competitive, he added. Mr Samuel Atiemo, the President of BASPAG, who expressed excitement over the two applications, explained that both the application and directory complement each other, providing user-friendly interfaces, real-time updates, and customizable services to meet the unique needs of different businesses. Additionally, they would enable SMEs to connect with BASPAG's and CAG's network of busi ness advisory professionals, facilitating direct interactions and consultation services. These would, therefore, empower business owners with tailored advice and support, enhancing their capacity to make informed decisions and implement effective business strategies. Businesses could also access finance, markets, technologies, business advisory and many others, Mr Atiemo added. Mr Franklin Karikari, the Director of Business Support at the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme, expressed the government's commitment towards ensuring that the two business platforms become very useful, especially for young business people and SMEs in general. Madam Juliana Asante-Dartey, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer, of Agri Impact Group, expressed optimism that the two platforms would make businesses more agile, and serve as the best way to access markets. She emphasised that the use of technologies that would ensure inclusivity and make key partners easily access markets freely, was important. Such si mple effective tools were critical to SMEs as the youth were very enthusiastic and ready to employ such business technology apps. 'We must prioritize the development of user-friendly, affordable solutions that can be easily adopted by smallholder farmers, women entrepreneurs, youth, and persons with disability (PWDs),' Madam Asante-Dartey said. 'By doing so, we bridge the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of technological innovation are widely distributed, contributing to more equitable and inclusive economic growth,' she said. The event attracted about 100 participants from the business, private, and development sectors and government institutions who experienced live demonstrations of the app and directory's features and learned how SMEs could leverage them to improve their business operations. Discussions and presentations were also received from industry leaders, business advisors, and technology experts on the importance of business development services and the impact of technology on busin ess practices. Source: Ghana News Agency