Staff Reporter

Government is set to continue supporting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) graduation programme in order to encourage formalisation of the sector.

Speaking during the Post Cabinet press briefing yesterday, acting Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said that the graduation programme had been initiated across the country’s ten provinces to honour small businesses that had grown from one level to another.

“The nation is informed that a graduation programme has been initiated across the country’s ten provinces in order to encourage formalization within the Small and Medium Enterprises sector and honour enterprises which have grown from one level to another, including those that have graduated to large enterprises .To date, a total of 391 Micro, Small and Medium Enteprises (MSMEs) have so far graduated in Harare, Midlands and Manicaland Provinces,” said acting Minister Muswere.

Minister Muswere indicated that there had been significant progress made by MSMEs which include furniture, chemicals, detergents, clothing, and manufacturing sectors, among other sectors.

According to Minister Muswere, the recognition of MSMEs was important as the sector had a pivotal role to play in the development of the nation.

“Recognition of role and contribution of MSMEs in the growth of the economy, improved access to markets by MSMEs and increased MSMEs contribution to fiscal revenue as more enterprises are coming forward to pay taxes,” Minister Muswere said.

He further assured the public that the Government would continue to support the MSMEs graduation programme in order to accelerate the movement of more micro-enterprises from informal to formal and enhance productivity and competitiveness in the sector in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of Nyika inovakwa Nevene Vayo/Ilizwe Lakhiwa Nabanikazi Balo.