The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa : Post Correspondent
THE Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operatives Development, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, has called on SMEs to capitalise on Statutory Instrument 64 to produce more goods that are in demand in the country.Speaking during a business forum organised by Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Winmore Mlambo at Chipinge Junior School on Monday, Cde Nyoni said SMEs had the potential to grow if they improve their operations and supply large quantities of goods to the market.
Cde Nyoni said her ministry was taking SMEs seriously as they would compliment Government’s efforts to revive the economy.
“This is the opportunity for all SMEs to record brisk business. Government has regulated some of the imports so that you SMEs are protected. Let us take co-operatives seriously and open wholesales in every district where all SMEs products will be sold.
“Government is ready to help SMEs and so far we have already set a linkage programme where big companies are directly linking with small companies,” said Cde Nyoni. She added that Government would industrialise rural areas and small towns in an effort to create employment as well as promotion of value addition in the country.
“We are asking SMEs to identify areas of investment so that Government will assist them with capital and machinery. We need Zimbabwe to create their own wealth by promoting local content through the Buy Zimbabwe campaign.
“If we bring machinery to SMEs we promote value addition, hence more benefits to the local people. We have realised that we are exporting raw materials outside the country for processing and this will create employment for people outside the country who may fetch more money than the producers. We need SMEs to export products which bring much revenue to the country. Some of the big economies like Germany are being driven by SMEs.
“We need to see the best products being produced by locals. I call upon local authorities and leaders to work hard in educating our people to be self-reliant and self empowering. We cannot continue to sit and wait for external investors when we clearly know that there are sanctions that were imposed on us and our economy,” said Cde Nyoni.
Chairperson of Manicaland Chamber of SMEs, Mr Mwagura, said they were to set to register all SMEs in the province through the biometric system which was recently launched. Mr Mwagura said the new development would mark a new era for the SMEs as it would establish linkages and co-operation between SMEs.
“The biometric system will help us to register all SMEs in the country and this will make us strong as we will integrate among ourselves. Through this process, our chamber will be strong from the top cascading down to ward levels. We don’t want to see businesses dying since there are no funeral policies for businesses. The system will open viable markets for SMEs products,” said Mr Mwagura.
Old Mutual financial advisor, Mr Brave Sithole, promised to avail funds to SMEs who successfully submit business proposals.
