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Melody Mashaire Business Reporter
Small to medium enterprises want Government to decriminalise copper trading, regularise SME complexes where they are operating from and extend infrastructure development finance to fund growth projects.

This came out during a tour of Gazaland, in Highfield scrap yard by the parliamentary portfolio committee on Small to Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development last week.

The committee was on a fact-finding mission in the area.

Some members of the SMEs who deal in scrap metals and copper said that not everyone who trades in copper is a criminal.

A copper trader Vahad Charumbira said copper trading can contribute positively to the economy.

“Government should not criminalise copper trading and exporting because the copper industry has potential to grow. Not everyone in copper trading is a criminal . . . I dismantle used cars and I can get five tons of copper per day from these cars. Government should avail licences for those who trade in copper (legally). We call on Government to create industrial friendly policies,” he said.

For Kenneth Gambanga, a welder, regularisation of Gazaland scrap yard complex is a priority as it is currently difficult for the SMEs to grow because the complex has no infrastructure.

“At the moment, we do not have infrastructure and electricity to run businesses. Zesa wants stand numbers so they can connect electricity. So we are calling on Government to regularise the complex because we are currently using other people’s electricity for which they are charging exorbitant prices,” he said.

Others, such as a pesticide manufacturer, Mutandi Chakanyuka said funding is the key to unlock SMEs potential. Mr Chakanyuka operates from Gazaland Technology Centre, a Sedco funded complex.

“The challenge we have at the moment is lack of infrastructure, we cannot expand to other towns.

“We have no money to construct factory shells and offices,” he said.

Committee chairperson Ms Dorothy Mangani said the committee was on a fact finding mission targeting SMEs. The committee has since visited other SMEs sites with the same objective.