Online Reporter
Gibson Nyikadzino
Zimpapers Politics Hub
SMALL and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have welcomed the phased empowerment initiative they have entered into with Harare City Council and a local insurance company to provide them with cover in case of fire and loss of goods.
The initiative, being led by Champions Insurance, starts in Harare and is already setting off at Mbare’s Siya-so and Musika markets, and Mabvuku, where SMEs are expected to get training in financial literacy, insurance and risk management.
Champions Insurance operations director, Mr Tafadzwa Macheka, said significant contributions by SMEs to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) were worthy to be incentivised.
“We are coming from a perspective that SMEs are now contributing significantly to the country’s GDP and they are worthy of incentives. These contributions require corporates to come through as SMEs operate from hand to mouth.
“We are working with Harare City Council and the Chamber of SMEs as custodians who will help coordinate the vendors. We also intend to give back to the SMEs by building infrastructure they can use,” Mr Macheka said.
SMEs for Economic Development (SMEs4ED) secretary-general Mr Bigboy Murenga said, despite the programme having been initiated in Harare, the bias is to take it to the countryside and complement the Government’s rural industrialisation initiative.
He said this was an opportunity for corporates to help in decentralising services that uplift citizens and have people in marginalised communities access them.
“We want to help revive economic activities at our Growth Points. We need to involve everyone because we have a bias towards rural industrialisation as this is also the theme being shared by President Mnangagwa of leaving no one and no place behind,” Mr Murenga said.
SMEs4ED national coordinator Mr Lloyd Bahera urged small businesses to take up the initiative to protect and support businesses before, during, and after unpredictable eventualities to lessen the burdens that may weigh on them.
