Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti
Herald Reporter
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Deputy Minister Simelisizwe Sibanda is expected to headline the inaugural Bulawayo Business Awards, aimed at recognising outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs contributing to the city’s industrial and economic growth.
The event will be held on Saturday.
Deputy Minister Sibanda, who is also the patron of the awards, will be joined by Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi, who will be among the keynote speakers at the event.
The inaugural Bulawayo Business Awards, are aimed at recognising outstanding businesses and entrepreneurs contributing to the city’s industrial and economic growth.
The awards ceremony will run under the theme, “Creating a conducive business environment and quality standards for industrial competitiveness in a 24-hour economy.”
Organisers said the event seeks to promote local enterprise, industrial competitiveness, value addition and improved business standards as part of efforts to revitalise Bulawayo’s economy.
Speaking ahead of the event, chief organiser Mr Philimon Nyirenda, said the awards are meant to honour businesses and entrepreneurs making significant contributions to the city’s development.
“The Bulawayo Business Awards exist to support and recognise local excellence. For a long time, many manufacturers and entrepreneurs have not been formally recognised despite their contribution to economic development,” he said.
Mr Nyirenda said the initiative would encourage local production, strengthen supply chains and promote business growth in line with efforts to build a stronger local economy.
He added that the awards will encourage businesses to maintain high standards to improve industrial competitiveness under the envisioned 24-hour economy.
The event is expected to attract business leaders, industrialists and entrepreneurs from various sectors of the economy.
Organisers said the awards will celebrate businesses that continue to contribute to Bulawayo’s industrial revival and economic transformation.
Peter Tanyanyiwa