Manicaland SMEs suffer double blow of high taxes and limited operating space

BY ELIZABETH KUCHERERA

Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Manicaland, the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy, are crying foul over the heavy tax burden imposed by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the lack of operating space allocated by the Mutare City Council.

Despite their significant contribution to the region’s economic growth, the SMEs are struggling to stay afloat due to the suffocating grip of high taxation and the scarcity of business premises.

In a sideline interview at the Manicaland Small and Medium Enterprises Business Expo held in Mutare yesterday, businness woman Beauty Hughes, who makes trash into treasure said:

“I collect used tyres, scrap metals and use them to make state of art furniture, portraits, vases and other items.

“I cannot get a shop license without paying ZIMRA. In addition, we are taxed in the same bracket with big enteprises which affects us small enterprises. I wish the government will look into it.”

Hughes said she was appealing for land from City of Mutare as she is also collecting dumped scrap metals and unused tyres, which are a hub for mosquitoes.

Guest of honour Monica Mutsvangwa encouraged all SMEs to work tirelessly for economic growth.

“In Zimbabwe SMEs significantly contribute to economic growth and sustainable development,” she said.