The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube Business Correspondent
A new association – Manicaland Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises has been formed to address the plight, as well as safeguard the interests of Small and Medium Enterprises in the province.
The association which is the brainchild of the Ministry of SMEs and Co-operation Development was also formed to foster the development and growth of micro and medium enterprises in the province.
In an interview this week, the newly-appointed chief executive officer, Mr Charles Dahwa said the SMEs sector in the province was poised for growth and the formation of the association would awaken and boost the sector which is a sleeping giant of Zim’s informal economy.
“I am serving this role on a voluntary basis as we in Manicaland seek to bring the work and development of SMEs under one roof.
“This is an opportunity that shall lead to the advancement of our SMEs nationally,” he said.
Mr Dahwa currently raised the flag high after he outclassed scores of academics to clinch the global PhD competition on SMEs and entrepreneurship.
He was subsequently awarded a full scholarship on June 22 to research for three years into SMEs and Entrepreneurial learning making use of SMEs in UK Greater Manchester region at Manchester Metropolitan University.
The greater Manchester region is a province in England comprising ten cities that include Manchester, Trafford and Wigan.
He is expected to commence his new position on September 14 this year.
“I hope to come back home after the four-year stint and execute knowledge learnt much to the undoubted benefit not only for our ministry but to the entire economy.
“Our local colleges and universities as well as practicing SMEs have continued to lack mastery of entrepreneurship. As a result, most graduates continue to roam around the streets unable to start their own ventures.
“Even if our economy flourishes and funding is available, the mindset and capabilities of most of our graduates as well as development, value addition and high growth, new ventures continue to be a serious cause for concern in our informal sector and national economy.
“Consequently, winning this global competition is indeed a rare opportunity with invaluable strategic impact on the development of SMEs in our national economy,” he said.
He appealed to well wishers to come aboard with financial assistance to enable him meet costs for the scholarship. He is supposed to raise an amount of $7 000 before September.
“The university pledged to cater for all fees and accommodation expenses from September this year to September 2019.
“I am, however, in the process of raising $7 000 for my airfares. I am therefore appealing to members of the public to assist me with cash for the airfares. I have currently raised $1 000 now and I am left with $6 000,” he said. He can be contacted on 0776 330264.
