Zimpapers Logo

Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau

Small to medium scale enterprises (SMEs) should prevent unforeseen losses by indemnifying their business as many such small businesses crumble due to accidents and theft.

Speaking to formal and informal business people at Chinhoyi Rank business complex yesterday where three traders lost their wares and property worth over US$70 000 to fire two weeks ago, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said entrepreneurs should insure their business so that Vision 2030 is achieved.

Said Minister Mliswa-Chikoka: “It is worrisome that most businesses are failing to grow due to unforeseen accidents that include fires. As we push towards achieving Vision 2030 that seeks to make Zimbabwe an upper-middle-income by 2030, it is imperative for small businesses to insure their businesses.

“Apart from fire accidents, theft has also been the reason why most businesses are failing to grow,” she said.

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka visited the business complex together with the provincial Civil Protection Unit (CPU) team, officials from the Women Affairs, Local Government and Public Works and Social Development Ministries to assess the damage.

Three months ago, five traders in Karoi also lost wares worth thousands to a fire that was caused by an electrical fault.

Chegutu Municipality fire tender arrived hours after the breakout but did little to douse out the blaze while Minister Mliswa-Chikoka questioned Chinhoyi Municipality’s urgency in acquiring its equipment to service its locality.