SMEs cluster development programme pays dividends
Story by Wellington Makonese
THE Government’s Small to Medium Enterprises Cluster Development Programme is bearing fruit as local entrepreneurs venture into manufacturing of equipment for the agriculture and mining sectors.
The economic blueprint of the National Development Strategy One is hinged on industrialisation and the small to medium enterprises sector is one such that is sure to propel the country towards the targeted mechanisation of productive sectors.
Through the cluster development initiative, the government has necessitated the manufacturing of agriculture and mining equipment from SMEs, with those in Willowvale, and Harare, collectively manufacturing hammer mills and universal shellers, among other critical equipment.
The set-up has paved the way for the contribution of SMEs to the country’s economic development.
“We thank the leadership for the programmes that have reached us. Leaving no one behind, the Ministry has placed us into clusters making machines being combined, now we can employ almost 15 and this will assist us in getting government input,” said Gilvas Manufacturing owner, Gilvas Mawungira.
Another SME operator, Mr Farai Mawarire added, “Here we produce prop-shaft and other times scorch carts that farmers get closer yet in the past they could get them in industry.”
Farmers and miners have welcomed the developments.
“I have just bought this drier, which will assist me to be able to harvest and sell at GMB in time, It’s a good thing they are close to us,” said one of the farmers.
Another added, “They are producing everything that we used to get at high costs, our plea is for them to have access to loans so that they can expand.”
The government has deliberately placed support systems including formalisation for SMEs development and in turn, the sector has contributed over eight billion United States dollars to the Gross Domestic Product during the past year.
