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Shepias Dube Business Reporter
THE Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector is set for a major boost following revelations that Government and a South African company — Saske Pvt Ltd were negotiating a $1 billion investment deal to construct working bays/shelters, shopping malls and houses for players in the sector in all the country’s major cities.
Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Mr Emmanuel Gobo confirmed the deal but could not be drawn into divulging further details.
“I can confirm that there are some talks between the Ministry and a South African company to find ways of forging a partnership to build workspace for our SMEs. In fact the Permanent Secretary Mrs Mavis Ndlovu and other officails from the ministry attended a meeting in Masvingo on Monday to discuss the modalities of the investment deal,” he said.
In an interview, Masvingo Chamber of SMEs Secretary General Mrs Sarah Phineas Munemo said the deal which was initiated by the provincial Chamber of SMEs Masvingo chapter had been on the cards since last year.
“We have been engaging the South Africans since October last year and we have reached a point where as SMEs we feel we have covered enough ground and Government should now take over,” said Mrs Munemo who is also an agent of Saske (PVT) Ltd.
She said during the meeting the Permanent Secretary Mrs Ndlovu said she would consult the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for guidance.
Officials said Government wanted the partnership to be modelled on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) infrastructural development strategy.
Online Reporter