Story by Memory Chamisa
THE Government will this week host the inaugural National Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Cooperatives Indaba in Harare as part of efforts to strengthen the sector’s contribution to economic transformation and the attainment of Vision 2030.
The MSME sector remains a key driver of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing more than 60 percent of Gross Domestic Product and employing over 70 percent of the country’s workforce.
The two-day Indaba will provide a high-level platform for policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement and investment promotion, while showcasing the sector’s contribution to national development.
Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, said the event marks an important milestone in building a stronger enterprise ecosystem.
“Held under the theme, ‘Towards Vision 2030: Building an Enabling Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Ecosystem,’ the Indaba marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s journey towards Vision 2030. It has been conceived as a high-level strategic platform to strengthen the contribution of MSMEs and Cooperatives through enhanced policy dialogue, stakeholder collaboration and investment promotion,” she said.
She said Government recognises MSMEs and cooperatives as critical drivers of employment creation, value addition, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth, particularly for women, youth and rural communities.
Senator Mutsvangwa said one of the major highlights of the Indaba will be the launch of the Revised National Cooperative Development Societies Policy.
“The overarching objective of the Indaba is to strengthen the contribution of MSMEs and Cooperatives to inclusive economic transformation through improved policy coherence, stronger stakeholder coordination and strategic partnerships aligned with the National Development Strategy 2. A major highlight of the event will be the Revised National Cooperative Development Societies Policy, which provides a modern policy framework to guide the sustainable growth, governance and regulation of the cooperative sector,” she said.
Government continues to support MSMEs through measures that include developing safe workspaces and improving access to finance through institutions such as the Women’s Microfinance Bank and SMEDCO.
The inaugural National MSMEs and Cooperatives Indaba will be held at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) from 16 to 17 July.
