Chipinge Chamber of SMEs holds Value addition and market indaba

Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira

CHIPINGE-Chipinge Chamber of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will be holding the inaugural   Value Addition and Market indaba with a total of 40 participants expected to attend.

The first of its own kind indaba is slated for  tomorrow and Tuesday at DePlaza Lodge in Chipinge.

In an interview with Chipinge Times, Chipinge Chamber of SMEs  secretary general Isee Zihwi said the main aim of the event is to capacitate the growing SMEs in Chipinge.

“The benefits are that we are going to have different business people and facilitators to share on various topics. So far 20 participants have registered and registration is still open until April 8. We are targeting SMEs who are into macadamia growing, poultry, honey production, and fruits production,” he said

Zihwi said a lot of programs are lined up this year as they seek to grow SMEs in the district.

“It is critical to have funding and marketing exposure as SMEs since we play an important role in the economy of the country. SMEs play a key role in economic growth and development in many countries around the world. They have become a dominant form of business venture in many developing economies and contribute to exports, employment generation, economic empowerment and poverty alleviation,” he said.

Zihwi  said small business in the district’s major challenges include financial constraints and lack of access to relevant markets.

“Our major challenges as Chipinge have been market, working capital and machinery to use. These are some of the things that will be addressed,” he said.

In a separate interview, Chipinge Chamber of SMEs chairperson Violet Banda  highlighted that her board will facilitate that  businesses benefit from government cheaper loans. She also added that Women’s and Youth banks will also assist in the program.https://chipingetimes.co.zw