BRIDGET MABANDA
HARARE: The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development has said it is establishing different projects for women to enhance value chain development promoting value addition of local resource endowments.
Speaking at the Open Market Day and Exhibition, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the projects are empowering women.
“My ministry is establishing a fruit and vegetable processing plant for women in Hauna. We have established a Madora Processing plant for women in Beitbridge and a Gold Processing Plant for women in Guruve,” said Mutsvangwa.
Mutsvangwa also added that all these projects benefit local resource endowments and promote employment, livelihoods, rural industrialization and reduce Gender Based Violence and poverty.
She encouraged women to benefit from local resources and add value so that the country export more valuable products and avoid exporting jobs.
Mutsvangwa added that the ministry is training enterprises on business, technical and trade-related skills such as registration and use of the COMESA 50 million African Women Speak online platform where you can get information on markets and business partners.
“I want you to take advantage of this and other digital platforms. I want you to excel and remain vigilant and competitive in your business operations, formalize your businesses, be compliant with both local and foreign regulations, produce quality products and certify them with the Standards Association of Zimbabwe and patent and brand your products to protect your intellectual property rights. Stay afloat by being innovative and embracing digital solutions and online trade platforms such as e-commerce,” she added.
She added that her ministry and government stand ready to assist business people to grow their businesses.
Mutsvangwa thanked OWIT-International, Ecobank and other partners who were organizers of the event and said she is looking forward to continued collaboration that will facilitate trade and generate more export revenue.
