Formalising Zimbabwe’s informal economy- full statement and debate

MR. SANSOLE: I just want to find out from the Minister whether she has considered the effect of zoning regulations that are in place enforced by local authorities. The zoning regulations tend to be an impingement to the growth of SMEs. An example is the regulations which make it unlawful to conduct welding activities in certain areas because of the hazards associated with fire and also with noise pollution. Those regulations tend to inhibit the growth of SMEs and their operations.

The operating environment of SMEs – local authorities have not put in place the necessary infrastructure to enable SMEs to operate effectively. For example, you mentioned the issue of Glen View where furniture production is being undertaken under conditions that are not favourable. Has your Ministry liaised with your counterpart the Local Government officials so as to realign the zoning regulations to make them conducive to the growth of SMEs?

MRS. NYONI: Zoning regulations have a reason hon. member. If we were to have SMEs or big industries just operating anywhere anyhow; we need order in the country. I think zoning is a necessity. SMEs must also learn to abide by the law and to also move from their homes to their work place. There is no harm in them starting in their back yards but they must not end there. Zoning is important in that there has to be order of pollution has to be contained. We cannot pollute everywhere, anywhere, anyhow because it will not be manageable. I support zoning but do agree with you that we need to be flexible. There are some operations of SMEs that are not polluting, not dangerous like sewing, small manufacturing that could be done in people; garages; those regulations should be relaxed so that SMEs grow. Those activities that pollute and need heavy machinery, I think should be zoned so that we contain pollution.

The hon. member may remember in my presentation, that I said, we have had meetings with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing is agreed that there is need in their new planning to have specific areas for SMEs. You remember that the colonial planning only planned for big industries. They never planned for SMEs.

The meeting we had gave me a lot of courage especially for those of us coming from the rural areas. As we plan our growth points we need to plan them with SMEs and big industries in mind so that they are different from the towns that we are in today where SMEs have to force their way. Yes, hon. member there is liaison with the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. A new planning that the Local Government is going to do now is going to be different from the planning that was when Harare, Gweru and other cities started. When Mt. Darwin and Nkayi become a city, they will be a city with a difference that includes all that want to do business in their country. Thank you.

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