Speaking at a National Manpower Advisory Council (NAMACO) meeting last week, the Informal Traders Association (ITA) Chairperson, Gilbert Chikwata said Masvingo city council is hindering the growth of small businesses.
He argued that council was slackening in availing working space of SMEs especially among the youths and female entrepreneurs.
Chikwata also lamented the exorbitant rents being charged by owners of buildings where most SMEs are operating from.
"Council is not giving us enough space where we can do our business as compared to other cities around the country. Most of our profits are going towards settling rentals rather than investing in the growth of the business.
"The situation is more severe among the youths and female entrepreneurs who are sometimes treated as slaves," Chikwata said.
He told participants at the meeting that with Masvingo industries closing down and given the current economic meltdown affecting the country, supporting SMEs would help create much needed employment.
"It’s no longer a secret that most industries are closing down and the future is now lying in the hands of SMEs in creating employment for those who are being affected by the closure of the industries ," he said.
The minister of Small to Medium Enterprises, Sithembiso Nyoni said SMEs are currently the largest employing sector in the country which needed all the necessary support from government and private players.
Post published in: Business