Solid Ties and Big Dreams for Local Business

Everisto Zhuwao

Zimbabwe and India are strengthening cooperation to ensure small businesses and women not only survive but thrive in a competitive global economy.

This commitment was highlighted in Harare when the Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa, met Indian Ambassador Bramha Kumar.

They discussed turning long-standing relations into practical support through funding, technology transfer, and skills development for local entrepreneurs.

Minister Mutsvangwa said India has successfully turned small businesses into a major economic driver and Zimbabwe aims to learn from that experience.

“The country is working to formalise informal traders and improve their ability to produce competitive goods for global markets.

“The partnership also includes technical training and scholarships already benefiting Zimbabwean workers.

We have a lot to learn from India because they have made MSMEs a major contributor to their GDP, and we are already cooperating in areas such as technology,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

Ambassador Kumar said small businesses in India employ about 72% of the workforce, showing their importance to the economy.

“India’s interest in Zimbabwe’s natural resources and manufacturing sector, adding that both countries are ready to modernise existing agreements,” he said.

“The government is working to ensure that SMEs are formalised and have access to modern equipment and skills to improve the quality of their products,” Hon. Mutsvangwa added.

The meeting, attended by senior ministry officials, ended with a commitment to strengthen cooperation.

The focus is on technology transfer, skills development, and improving production capacity to help local businesses grow and compete internationally.