Joseph Verenga with his award
Shumirai Zhou
09 April 2017, ZVISHAVANE – The provincial Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) awards, an accolade introduced in 2008 to recognise best performing small businesses, has motivated owners of SMEs to work harder and contribute to economic growth.
Joseph Verenga, a local entrepreneur named Rural Business Person of the Year at the provincial SMEs award gala dinner held in Gweru recently, said he had been inspired to be more innovative.
“I take the award as a recognition of my efforts to contribute to economic growth and job creation. I have made a significant my contribution to the economy and I am working to do more for the benefit of our people.
“The awards help not only to raise our business profiles but are critical for the realisation of cumulative economic benefits for the people of Zvishavane and all surrounding areas,” said Verenga.
Secretary General for SMEs in Zvishavane, Bigboy Murenga said the awards were meant to stimulate private business initiatives as a way of creating more economic opportunities in the Midlands.
“The awards act as a token of recognition for the efforts of our entrepreneurs under the current difficult economic situation. They also help to publicise market brands and stimulate business zeal,” said Murenga.
He said winners of the provincial awards will again compete at national level in Harare this September.local
