Zimbabwe: SME Ministry Set to Host Business Expo
The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development is set to host a National Business Interactive Expo in conjunction with Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) in Harare at the end of this month to promote SMEs development.
The director for Resource Mobilisation and Project Management, Ms Ethel Hlabangana, said the expo is aimed at showcasing and promoting SME products and has called on exhibitors from all the country's 10 provinces to participate.
"This will also create a link between small and large enterprises which encourage the development of small enterprises into big businesses," she said.
Ms Hlabangana added individuals and entrepreneurs were welcome and would be given a chance to place their orders thereby promoting the SMEs.
Most SMEs are constrained in their operations by shortage of funds and failure to market their products.
SMEs, which are considered to be the engine for economic growth, have been receiving funds from different ministries and financial institutions to assist them in setting up their businesses.
At a time of rising unemployment, SMEs provide a safety net for school-leavers who fail to secure employment in the formal sector and those made redundant by factory closures.
Last month the Small Enterprises Development Corporation (Sedco) availed $40 million for construction of factory shells in Bindura, Gweru and Gwanda which is set to benefit about 100 SMEs.
Sedco this year has set aside a total of $300 million for development of small-scale projects and seeks to support distressed SMEs.
Source: allAfrica
