New Mbare Market Promises Fresh Start for Traders

By Staff Reporter

Mbare traders have welcomed a fresh start as President E.D. Mnangagwa commissioned the new developed Mbare Traders Market Phase 1 and officially opened Phase 2 today. The new facility is a silver lining following the devastating fire that ravaged the old market last October.

Speaking at a gathering of government ministers, businesspeople, and jubilant traders, President Mnangagwa reiterated his government’s pledge to the promotion of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as major propellers of economic development. He noted the extensive devastation from the fire that necessitated the declaration of State of Disaster and welcomed the prompt response through the Whole-of-Government and Society Approach to mobilizing resources towards the rebuilding of the market.

“Mbare Musika is a critical part of the Zimbabwean economy as a major destination for our own farmers, traders, and consumers,” President Mnangagwa stated. “The first phase of the completion of the market comes in handy to the traders now having good working space.”

Phase 1, just finished, offers state-of-the-art trading areas to 1,628 traders with better business and trading terms, improved sanitation, fire safety features, and organized trading schemes. Experiences gained during this phase will be critical in the subsequent construction of markets nationwide.

In the future, President Mnangagwa said that Phase 2 of the New Mbare Musika will be a multi-storeyed complex capable of accommodating even more entrepreneurs. He invited city authorities, partners, and investors to replicate the success of Phase 1 in other marketplaces across the country, calling on them to incorporate fire safety and more comprehensive disaster management systems.

The President also requested rural and urban councils to back a multi-dimensional approach of modernizing and expanding workplaces and terms of trade, providing cleaner terms and improved infrastructure.

Emphasizing the broad economic role of MSMEs, President Mnangagwa invited entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, to hasten the registration of small businesses and start-ups, in alignment with trends and digital technologies. He pledged them the government’s preparedness to sustainably support them through ease of doing business, access to finance, skills acquisition, and market linkages.

“My Government is convinced that SMEs are a key driver of economic development, employment creation, wealth creation, and general empowerment,” said the President.

The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises Development was also charged with the issuance of innovative schemes to facilitate the development of the sector, in coordination with other government departments and agencies. The President emphasized that the formalization of small businesses should not be perceived as threatening but as a necessary pillar for increased business productivity.

Additionally, President Mnangagwa reaffirmed his government’s dedication to the ‘Urban Transformation Agenda’ aimed at having safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities and human settlements. He instructed levies and rentals for the new market facilities to be competitive and affordable.

He hailed Masimba Construction and Mkambo Misika Hubs for cooperating with the government in the supply of Phase 1 and appealed to all stakeholders to be good custodians of the new facilities.

Lastly, President Mnangagwa underscored unity, resolve, and concentration as the cornerstones to the development of a wealthy Zimbabwe under Vision 2030. Once more, he reiterated the appeal to the population to join the monthly national clean-up and beautification programme.

“Let us strive towards prosperity we want under Vision 2030, we must always construct our great motherland Zimbabwe, brick by brick, stone upon a stone, step by step,” he ended before officially opening Phase 2 of the Mbare Traders Market Development Project. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the traders anticipated a brighter future in their new enhanced working environment.