Speaking at A Ministry of Industry and Finance Stakeholders meeting held at a local hotel last week, the SMEs said they should have support in technical skills provision and involvement in policy making as this direct involvement of policy making would change the way people behave as the country moves towards the economic reform.
Industrial support in technical skills must be encouraged and the loan borrowing from banks must be relaxed. Partnership between SMEs and service providers must also be cemented, said Hebert Hungwe from Manicaland Small and Medium Enterprises Development Association.
Skills, technical information and materials sharing are of paramount importance, he added.
Hungwe said the diversification of smallholder entrepreneurship was a requirement for sustainable industrial security.
He said: A number of factors for effective diversification include the development of a flexible operating environment and adequate technological options in various business regions where there is an opportunity for business.
Hungwe said the availability of capital and effective advisory services were important for the diversification of the SMEs. He encouraged the businesspeople to put some business-initiated commodity associations in place as these would inspire the community.
Post published in: Agriculture