daniel chigunwe
Business Writer/NewZiana
At least 65 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and over 3 000 women have benefited from facilities that the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development since January this year, a Cabinet Minister has said.
The Ministry seeks to socially and economically empower women and resilient communities while enjoying gender equality in a small and medium enterprises-driven economy.
This is achieved through promoting, coordinating and monitoring innovative financing schemes for micro, small and medium enterprises and cooperative development.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said US$7 027 200 has been disbursed to 65 MSMEs through the Small to Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO) and 3 440 beneficiaries through the Zimbabwe Women Micro-Finance Bank (ZWMFB).
At the same time, the Zimbabwe Community Development Fund (ZCDF) and the Women’s Development Fund (WDF) aim to fund 200 projects by the end of this year.
Muswere said Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Minister Monica Mutsvangwa had in a report to Cabinet on Tuesday, detailed measures her Ministry had taken to close the support gap that women, communities and MSMEs experience.
The Ministry extends loans through the WDF, ZCDF, the Zimbabwe Women Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) and SMEDCO.
“Other initiatives being rolled out by government include capacity building of women, MSMEs and cooperatives to enable them to take advantage of the emerging livelihood and business opportunities presented by the Second Republic,” said Muswere.
He said the government continues to facilitate the formation and growth of innovative impactful structures for women in key sectors including housing, finance, agriculture, manufacturing, health, arts and crafts and fisheries, among others.
“In addition, the Ministry is also coordinating access to social services such as health provision, provision of sanitary wear for women and girls, access to education, and provision of agricultural inputs by women in communities to ensure no one and no place is left behind.”
In future the government plans to accelerate the implementation of gender equality provisions as provided for in the Constitution, to increase the participation of women in key decision-making positions across all sectors.
“Special facilities, existing and new, meant to support women-owned enterprises, community projects and MSMEs to access affordable long-term funding for re-tooling will be supported and strengthened,” he said.
“In addition, the government will increase budgetary support towards establishing value-addition processing plants to curb postharvest losses.” – New Ziana
Bongani Ndlovu