SMALL and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) minister Sithembiso Nyoni on Friday expressed concern about the high level of informalisation which she blamed for hampering SMEs. MTHANDAZO NYONI OWN CORRESPONDENT
In a speech read on her behalf at the 20th anniversary of the Bulawayo Project Centre in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, Nyoni said people should formalise their businesses so that they become part of the mainstream economy.
“I would like to urge the sector to embed the importance of operating formalised business in your incubation and training programmes so that those who leave the centre and start their enterprises seamlessly become part of the mainstream economy,” Nyoni said.
“There are numerous opportunities you can realise as a formal enterprise, for example, getting market access through tenders, accessing finance, peace with regulatory authorities and recognition just to mention a few.”
She revealed the ministry had embarked on a national database development and was registering SMEs around the country’s 10 provinces.
“This will assist the government in knowing who is doing what and where. It will also assist in clustering SMEs for training and enhancement of partnership, both nationally and internationally.”
She said the Bulawayo Project Centre was complementing government efforts to promote sustainable socioeconomic transformation.
“The progress being implemented at the centres are in line with the pillars of the Zim Asset economic blueprint which is marshalling all of our efforts for the next five years.” Nyoni said.
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These efforts, she said, include value addition and beneficiation, food security and nutrition, social service and poverty eradication, infrastructure and utilities.
Her sentiments came against the backdrop of a move by the Bulawayo City Council to redevelop Egodini terminus into a regional public transport centre for local and regional transporters, but in the process displacing hundreds of informal traders who operate from the area daily.
The move would see more than 500 informal traders being moved elsewhere.
At the Friday event, more than 100 students graduated with various certificates in different business aspects ranging from hairdressing to microbusiness management.
