ZDA warns of fake business grants

BUUMBA CHIMBULU writes@SunZambian THE Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) has warned entrepreneurs that it is currently not disbursing any business grants to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). “ZDA is not disbursing any business grants to MSMEs and is not in any partnership with an organisation called ‘BACC’ in offering business grants to entrepreneurs,” warns Agency Acting Manager Communications and Public Relations, Kabwe Phiri. Ms Phiri regretted that some unscrupulous people were trying to swindle entrepreneurs purporting to be ZDA. “ZDA has noted with displeasure an advert going around social media purporting that the Agency is disbursing funds in form of a grant in partnership with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, USAID and an organisation called ‘BACC’,” she said in a statement yesterday. Ms Phiri warned the members of public to be wary of such offers from unscrupulous people by seeking confirmation with the ZDA or other legitimate Government institutions before they could apply or make any payments. “The Agency condemns in the strongest terms such heartless acts of intent to swindle unsuspecting entrepreneurs and the general public money and therefore urges the general public to take heed of this warning as the Agency will not be held responsible for any loss of money,” she said. The Sun