Bulawayo SMEs to attend China-Africa expo

SMALL to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bulawayo are expected to exhibit their products and services at the forthcoming third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which will run from June 29 to July 2, 2023.

Bulawayo Chamber of SMEs chairperson, Mr Coustine Ngwenya, said their members have been formally invited to take part at the high-level expo.

He told Business Chronicle that the expo was a prime platform that will give local SMEs an opportunity to meet with different stakeholders, potential suppliers, as well as customers.

“We were invited to participate at the China-Africa economic and trade expo that will start on the 29th of June to the 2nd of July in Changsha in China,” said Mr Ngwenya.

“The expo will bring together policymakers and business executives from various countries to explore investments and trade opportunities and create business linkages and partnerships.”

He expressed gratitude to the Government for enhanced support to SMEs, which he said has seen the sector reaching higher heights despite inherent constraints.

The Government has been supporting the SMEs sector through different initiatives, including financial support, training and opportunities to participate in different expos and exhibitions at home and abroad.

SMEs have become the backbone of many economies around the world, which is employing more than 70 percent of the population.

According to the MSMEs 2021 survey, the sector is made up of 3,4 million businesses and it provides full-time employment to more than 4,8 million people in Zimbabwe.

The 2022 Finscope SME survey also revealed that the sector contributed US$8,2 billion to the national gross domestic product.

Meanwhile, Mr Ngwenya said the SMEs sector was focused on retooling its operations through collaborative support from partners such as the Indian SMEs who produces machinery and equipment.

“In April we hosted Indian business delegation from the SMEs sector who specialises in machinery manufacturing with the aim to assist our SMEs to retool,” he said.

“To consolidate this collaboration, plans are underway for us to visit India so that we have an appreciation of what they have.” — @SikhulekelaniM1