The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) recently hosted a successful suppliers’ orientation meeting, where key updates and developments within the organisation’s business operations were shared.

This orientation meeting, organised by CIDRZ’s Procurement Department, aimed at ensuring financial support for local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) through trade finance with Entrepreneurs Financial Centre (EFC), while also safeguarding CIDRZ’s resources by managing risks, ensuring performance, and facilitating the timely delivery of goods and services from its vendors.

CIDRZ Deputy Chief Executive Officer Nana Appiah Qua-Enoo assured suppliers that the organisation will continue with its operations and engagements with business partners.

“We strongly encourage our valued suppliers to actively monitor the portal for important notifications, review updates, and respond promptly to ensure seamless collaboration and continued business success”, he said.

Meanwhile, CIDRZ’s Chief Financial Officer Ackim Sinkala emphasised the significance of the annual stakeholder engagement, recognising the critical role of suppliers in CIDRZ’s operations.

“This meeting is meant to ensure that we maintain open communication with our business partners who facilitate the procurement of various logistical requirements and update you on changes within CIDRZ,” he noted.

Mr Sinkala highlighted that many SMEs struggle to access trade finance services, which often hinder their ability to fulfil supply orders.

He said it was for this reason that CIDRZ has partnered with EFC to address this challenge by providing order financing and invoice discounting, offering suppliers much-needed financial support.

“We understand that securing working capital can be difficult. While our capacity to pre-fund orders is limited, we have engaged EFC to assist suppliers with financing solutions,” he explained.

Mr Sinkala explained that this move will help improve turnaround times and enable SMEs to expand their business operations.

The orientation meeting also provided an opportunity for suppliers to express their views and appreciation for CIDRZ’s efforts to enhance collaboration.

Abiud Kawangu, Director of Abicol Trading and General Dealers Limited, described the meeting as highly informative.

“We truly appreciate this well-thought-out initiative. It will greatly enhance our ability to efficiently supply goods and services on time, ensuring smooth business operations and strengthening our partnership with CIDRZ,” he said.

Similarly, Rita Mumba from Complete Enterprise Solutions acknowledged the meeting as a valuable platform that provided essential clarity and confidence regarding CIDRZ’s operations. “This session has answered many of our questions and reinforced our understanding of CIDRZ’s commitments, offering clarity and assurance to us as suppliers,” she stated.

The supplier’s orientation meeting marks another step in CIDRZ’s commitment to transparency, efficiency, and fostering a strong supplier network that supports its mission in Zambia.

The vendors were also oriented by CIDRZ’s Information and Communication Technology Department on software innovations, such as the vendor portal created and linked to EFC, which facilitates easy trade finance for both invoice discounting and order financing.

This initiative aims to create an enabling environment through shared business goals, economic strengthening, and business growth with our local vendors.