The Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small & Medium Enterprises Development; Honourable Dr Sithembiso Nyoni challenged Local Authorities, Property Developers and policymakers to fully engage SMEs in their infrastructural plans.
“There are no big plans for SMEs workspaces without conversation with the SMEs,” she said.
“Our planning must be inclusive of SMEs”
This was during her keynote address at the MSMEs Infrastructure Provision Conference at Harare International Conference Centre earlier today. She further challenged Local Authorities to build infrastructure worthy of the mammoth contribution of MSMEs’ strategic role to the economy.
“Give SMEs workplaces of dignity, where they can make a cup of tea, have their marketing offices and conduct their important work respectably”
The one-day conference was hosted by the Ministry with support from Old Mutual under the theme
‘Accelerating Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Infrastructure for
Inclusive Growth in the post-Covid 19 Economy’. In attendance were business owners, Rural & District Council bodies and representatives of SMEs such as Harare Chamber of SMEs, Women Alliance of Business Associations in Zimbabwe and Small & Medium Enterprises Association of Zimbabwe and Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe.
The minister expressed her disapproval of metal roofed sheds and paraded as markets, citing the need for world-class amenities.
“Is this the best we can do for our country men? What are we saying about their work and contribution?”
In her remarks, Hon Dr Sithembiso Nyoni further challenged Local Authorities to engage the MSMEs in town planning and harmonising backward Vendor Laws. She referred to the by-laws as backward and un-inclusive.
The Minister left no feather unruffled as she took issue with SMEs and asked them to be coordinated and documented.
“SMEs, do not be silent, be strong be organized, streamlined, speak to us in one voice and do not be found wanting,” she concluded.
According to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, there are over 60,000 micro-enterprises in the country that contribute to the lifeblood of the Zimbabwean economy making up 60% of the GDP and contributing to 80% of national employment. Many of these entities are said to be located in residential areas, backyards and undesignated footpaths.
As the MSME sector grows there has been a lack of access to adequate infrastructure. Currently, the Ministry is working with Local Authorities to construct affordable workspaces for MSMEs in Gwanda and Gweru.
Leave a Reply