admin
Mutsawashe Mashandure and Spiwe Sarakunze
SMALL and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are playing a crucial role in Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing to the Gross Domestic Product and providing employment for over 4 million people, the Minister of Women Affairs, Community and Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, has said.
The Minister made these remarks yesterday during a tour of ProPlastics, the Harare Leather Cluster, and Swaszy Granites.
“With the mandate of ensuring that we support SMEs, we have come here to see what Pro Plastics is doing. This company started as a very small SME and has grown into a medium enterprise,” Min Mutsvangwa said.
She said Government is commited to enhancing the capabilities of SMEs through training and support.
Min Mutsvangwa noted that Government is actively training women in producing detergents and other fast-selling products to empower them economically.
“We want to ensure that women in rural areas have the skills to support their families. SMEs in this country employ over 4 million people full-time, and we can see from ProPlastics that SMEs are the backbone of the economy,” she added.
During her visit to the Harare Leather Cluster, the Minister expressed optimism about the leather industry’s potential to boost the economy by 2030.
“The goal is for our country to produce and export leather products, earning foreign currency. This not only creates jobs but also helps youth stay away from drugs,” she said.
At Swaszy Granites, Min Mutsvangwa said Government is providing essential equipment and workspace for SMEs.
“We have a bank under our ministry that provides workspace, as mandated by the SMEs Act. We aim to register all SMEs and provide decent workspaces for permanent operations,” she said.
The Minister praised Swaszy Granites for being the first company to produce granite products in Zimbabwe, highlighting the move from exporting raw materials to finished products.
Mr Tariro Mutamiri, a member of Mutamiri Leather, commended Government for its support in training and registration.
“We received extensive support, including training on shoe production, design, marketing, and exporting. This has enabled us to employ street kids who previously had no jobs,” he said.Mr Peter Samunderu, Marketing and Sales Executive at ProPlastics, also acknowledged the positive impact of government training programmes.
“Through the Ministry, we attended numerous training seminars and exhibitions, fully funded by the Government. This has helped us tap into new markets and grow our business,” he said.
Mr Onias Chagaresango, Managing Director of Swaszy Granites, highlighted the economic significance of the granite industry.
“We are the first in Zimbabwe to export granite materials, adding value to the product. Granite products are durable and can be used for many years, making them crucial for architectural designs,” he said.
Online Reporter