Following the launch of the policy review process last year and the subsequent provincial consultative engagements to contribute inputs towards the formulation of the national Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Policy 2020 to 2024, stakeholders have been called upon to make proposals that will enhance and strengthen the draft policy to ensure that it contributes to the development of the sector.
The policy, which is anchored on capacitation of the MSMEs for growth on production, productivity and competitiveness has been said to be contributing towards the economic development of the nation.
Speaking at the Validation of the Draft National MSMEs Development Policy workshop in Harare on the 6th of February 2020, the Secretary in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Mr Melusi Matshiya said steps ought to be taken towards the promulgation of the final policy which will then guide the sector for the next five years.
“The draft that you are about to validate is a product of thorough research and consultations which were done. In it, there are key and far-reaching policy recommendations on the development of MSMEs in our country. The draft policy has been aligned to compliment other national, regional and international policy frameworks aimed at transforming the Zimbabwean economy and improving the lives of the people.
“These include attaining of an upper Middle income economy, the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, National Trade Policy, the National Industrial Development Policy, the National Export Strategy and the National Local Content Strategy among others,” he said.
The Government, he said, looks forward to continued support and collaboration from its development partners in the endeavour to provide an enabling environment for the development of MSMEs and in achieving greater heights in the national development agenda.
Cross cutting issues such as segmentation of MSMEs, gender dimensions, women and youth empowerment, safety and health, environmental and climate change have been taken into consideration.
The European Representative, Ambassador Timo Olkkonen said SMEs play a pivotal role in revitalising the economy as well as contributing to the attainment of SDGs.
The SMEs in Zimbabwe contribute to the achievement of Africa’s Agenda 2063 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG8 which entails the promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all,” said Ambassador Olkkonen.
Contributions by the different stakeholders were distilled into twelve pillars upon which the MSME policy is anchored. These include market development and trade, entrepreneurship development, MSME financial support, rural industrialization, and investment promotion among other clusters.