Bulawayo Hosts Winter MSMEs Exhibition to Boost MSMEs.

Bulawayo Hosts Winter MSMEs Exhibition to Boost MSMEs.

Winter MSMEs Exhibition

An inaugural Bulawayo Winter Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Exhibition was held in Bulawayo to give MSMEs a forum to market their goods and services and to promote collaboration and networking among them.

The event was hosted by the Bulawayo Chambers Hub, the Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA), and the Bulawayo Upcoming Traders Association (BUTA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises on May 26, 2023, at Bulawayo City Car Park.

Exposure & Growth

This was hoped to result in increased exposure and growth for the MSMEs, which have long faced challenges such as lack of resources and limited access to funding. It was a first-of-its-kind initiative and it was attended by representatives from various MSMEs.

Speaking at the event, SMEs Advisory council representative and the founder of BUTA, Dumisani Ncube, emphasized the importance of recognizing and supporting SMEs. He noted that the government is working on policies to help formalize and fund SMEs, including a women’s bank and a one-stop-shop for registering and licensing businesses.

Making Licensing Simpler

Ncube also stressed that it is important for local authorities to have a uniform licensing system to simplify the process for SMEs. “We need to fight for policies which are going to make these people recognize you by whatever authorities are there, including the local authorities,” said Ncube.

Ncube also highlighted some of the challenges faced by informal traders, including difficulties with workspace and policies, such as import laws. He revealed that the government is working on policies to support informal traders and promote growth, including the creation of a one-stop-shop to streamline licensing procedures.

Related Content: Women in MSMEs in Zimbabwe: Challenges and Opportunities

Making Connections

Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) Executive Director, Michael Ndiweni said that the event was seen as an opportunity for informal traders to learn about the market and make valuable connections.

“It is very important that we create spaces for them to be able to just challenge each other. Why? Because now, they are learning from each other on how to check in the experts,” said Ndiweni.

Peer-to-Peer Lending

Additionally, Ndiweni also emphasized the significance of creating peer-to-peer lending spaces for SMEs to learn from one another and understand the market better.

Moreover, in a speech read by Finance Deputy Director, Ebester Lumeli on behalf of Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Funds, Judith Ncube applauded Bulawayo Chambers of SMEs, Bulawayo Traders Association and Bulawayo Vendors and Traders Association (BVTA) and Bulawayo Upcoming Traders Association (BUTA) for partnering in such a noble cause.

Bedrock for Collaboration

Moreover, Minister Ncube said, “Such energies are a bedrock for collaboration and therefore a good platform for reviving Bulawayo industry, given that Bulawayo was once our industrial hub, and this is a good opportunity to revitalise the industry.”

She also noted that the government was looking towards creating a policy environment that recognizes and promotes MSME businesses.One of the key issues highlighted at the event was the need for policies that would recognize and support MSMEs as legitimate businesses.

Driving Sustainable Entrepreneurship

Lastly, the Bulawayo Winter Exhibition (BWE) is the name of the annual winter event that will take place. The goal of this year’s expo, which had the topic “MSMEs driving sustainable entrepreneurship,” was for MSMEs to become more aware of the solutions. We’re all here to support their expansion into sizable enterprises outside of our city.

Currently, many MSMEs in Zimbabwe operate informally due to a lack of recognition and support from authorities. This has prevented them from accessing funding and resources, and has hindered their growth.

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