By Shadreck Gurenje
Minister of women affairs and small to medium enterprise has said the attainment of an upper middle-income economy by 2030 is premised on the Second Republic National development strategy 1 which upholds the theme of leaving no one and no place behind.
Giving her keynote address at the Open Market Day and Exhibition, of women affairs and small to medium enterprise Senator Monica Mutsvagwa said the event provides an opportunity for Zimbabwean women to show up and be counted through their skill, innovation and unappalled business intelligence at the regional and global levels.
“This event not only complement our efforts as government, towards women’s economic empowerment but also provides an opportunity for continuous and necessary conversations amongst various staeholders.This is also leading to improved livelihoods and uplifting standard of living in many families.
“I understand that the open Market Day and exhibition is a free event designed to be prime platform for all progressive women in international trade and a good opportunity to network, share experiences and exchange ideas on how to get ahead in business and be export competitive.
“This event is an opportunity for Zimbabwean women to show up and be counted, to show case their skill, innovation and unappalled business intelligence at the regional and global levels. The Open Market Day is going to position women to benefit from available opportunities in-country, within the region and at global level and this event will consolidate efforts to empowering women in business.
“The Zimbabwe we want is premised on the Second Republic National development strategy 1which upholds the theme of leaving no one and no place behind. Our population is made up of 52% women in the economy of Zimbabwe as traders, workers, producers, caregivers and taxpayers,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa commended local women for contributing immensely to national development as the nation gears towards the realisation of vision 2030.
“There are 3.4 million MSMES in Zimbabwe and 56% of them are women. You are aware that MSMES are the engine of growth in Zimbabwe and they contribute over 60% to GDP.This implies that women are contributing significantly to national development. Women owns MSMES are however largely informal and my ministry is accelerating its efforts to formalise them and make them competitive in light of the AFCTA.
“Wealth creation by our women and youth cannot be achieved by government alone. The government will ensure there is an enabling business and trade environment as articulated in the NDS1.The government would want to see women’s organisations such as yours collaborate and amplify women’s voices that will contribute to the trade discourse that is instrumental to the creation of an upper-middle-income society in Zimbabwe by 2030,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Zimbabwe is one of the first countries to ratify the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCTA) and and contribute significantly towards regional integration.
“I note how the organisation of women in international trade Zimbabwe chapter spearhead the sensitisation of the AFCFTA amongst its members and continues the call through interventions such as the Open Market Day we have today.
“Under the AFCFTA, there are vast investment and trade opportunities that we want our women to benefit from. Please take advantage of the huge market of 1.2 billion people in Africa and promote regional integration in this region.
“Let me hasten to remind women’s association,OWIT,that their strength lies in working together, mentoring each other and ensuring that you benefit from the government programmes and trade arrangements such as the AFCTA,”said Minsiter Mutsvangwa.