Clive Thabo Dube
The Minister of Women Affairs and Small, Medium Enterprises Sithembiso Nyoni has toured eSpamprekini, the Outspan traders factory that was recently gutted by fire.
Speaking during the tour, Minister Sithembiso Nyoni revealed that the Government has secured an investor willing to build a new Small, Medium Enterprise (SME) complex in the city.
“All we are waiting for is land that should be provided by the city council. We have investors already that are waiting on the wings to build this multi- purpose structure. The city council whom we are going to be working closely with should start engaging in discussions with informal traders so that a suitable site can be identified. Previously many SME’s Centres have turned into white elephants because of the fact that the informal trader’s input was not sought. The informal trader’s needs where overlooked,” said Minister Nyoni during the a tour of the informal sector complex that is located along Nketa Drive in the Mpopoma High Density Suburb.
“For us to work towards the new centre, all stakeholders involved should come up with a workable model that will benefit all parties. Give us time as we plan towards that and we will engange,” said Ward 9 councilor Donaldson Mabuto.
Espamprekini is a complex that accommodates a mix- Masala of small to medium enterprises that is located next door to the Park that is located along Nketa Drive.
All sorts of commercial activities are conducted from this complex including furniture manufacturing. However a fire recently ended some of the enterprises based there. It is not clear whether Government or local authorities will compensate the affected entrepreneurs.- Zim GBC News 2023
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