South Africa and Zimbabwe have agreed to foster ahead and implement the small, micro and medium enterprise (SMME) cooperation signed late last year.
The cooperation entails among others, facilitation of inward an outward visits and trade promotion by both countries, training of recently qualified graduates at technology centres in Zimbabwe and exploring areas of commodity exchange.
The commitment and intent emanated from the bilateral meeting that was held in Harare by the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Ms Elizabeth Thabethe and the Zimbabwe Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development Ms Sthembiso Nyoni on Tuesday.
Deputy Minister Thabethe said the cooperation and implementation thereof will assist Zimbabwe SMMEs and Cooperatives, and also resuscitate the nine distress sectors identified by Zimbabwe to the South African government.
According to Thabethe, the South African government through the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), has committed to improve and resuscitate the SMMEs by capacitating the sector.
“South Africa will assist the ministry through Small Enterprise Development Agency (seda) with the incubation strategy, commit human resources for skills transfer and also share knowledge of the SMME sector with the Zimbabwean government,” she added.
She said the commitment is in line with the newly elected government’s strategy to indigenise the economy, empower people and create jobs.
Minister Sthembiso Nyoni said she welcomed and appreciated South Africa’s effort to continuously support and work with the Zimbabwean government.
She added that her Ministry is committed and fully supports the implementation of the cooperation, and will observe and learn best practices that are currently implemented by the South African government.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: 012 394 1650
Cell: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti
