Facelift for Bulawayo SMEs complex

CHENGETAI MURIMWA IN BULAWAYO

Government has partnered with the Bulawayo Chamber of Small to Medium Enterprises (BCSMEs) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to refurbish the OK Mart Complex in the country’s second largest city, which will accommodate about 50 small to medium enterprises.

Dingani Dlomo, Bulawayo Provincial Development Officer in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, said the partnership was meant to support SMEs.

“We are trying to promote the growth of our members through securing proper working space for them. As a ministry we have entered into a tripartite relationship with the Bulawayo Chamber of Small to medium Enterprises and ILO to refurbish the OK Mart SMEs complex,” Dlomo told Business Times.

Dlomo said when SMEs operate from decent spaces this will help them formalise their operations. According to a survey carried out by Finscope Zimbabwe, only 15% of SMEs are registered.

Responding to questions on the issuance of land to SMEs, Dlomo said his ministry was not responsible for the distribution of land for SMEs but it was the duty of  the local authority.

“We have received a lot of criticism from people that we are responsible for allocating land for our SMEs, especially vendors, but as a ministry we wait as well for the Bulawayo City Council to allocate us with space to operate,” Dlomo said.

Government seeks to establish SMEs incubation centres throughout the country to accelerate development of start-ups and fledging entrepreneurs to effectively impact on growth of the economy.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched the country’s first India-Africa incubation centre in Harare in February last year.

Over the past few years, Zimbabwe has witnessed the emergence and growth of SMEs mainly due to the high levels of unemployment and the growth of the informal sector.

The SMEs have mushroomed in various sectors of the economy ranging from farming to information and technology. 

Most of the small businesses are struggling to secure funding for growth and are also battling to pay taxes and meet regulatory requirements.