adminco-operatives’ workshop at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair yesterday, Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operatives Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said the country’s huge trade deficit was a sign that MSMEs were not contributing to the manufacturing sector.
“Although MSMEs and co-operatives are contributing in terms of producing goods and services, the huge trade deficit the country is experiencing is a clear testimony that the MSMEs sector is also not faring well as far as manufacturing and exporting goods is concerned,” said Minister Nyoni.
She said small firms were supposed to embrace new technology and be innovative to remain competitive and forge networks with local and international markets.
“Global competitiveness is only attainable by having a well-structured and co-ordinated enterprise support system with enablers for work space, infrastructure, market information, appropriate technology, financing and friendly regulatory environment,” said Minister Nyoni.
She said 18 MSMEs and co-operatives were exhibiting under the ministry at this year’s ZITF and it was their opportunity to expose their products to both local and international markets.
“The workshop is running alongside the exhibition, which is one of the strategies to expose MSMEs and co-operative products to local and international markets to network and forge strategic partnership for both backward and forward linkages.
“There are 18 MSMEs and co-operatives exhibiting at the trade fair and these are into leather products, honey production, art and crafts, household chemicals, furniture, clothing, food processing and engineering,” she said.
Online Reporter