Small to medium enterprises are drivers of economic growth and development in the country, First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe said yesterday. She said this during the ZRP 2016 Kuyedza Women’s Club annual show in Harare in a speech read on her behalf by Small toMedium Enterprises Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni.”I urge the club to continue in the good work they are doing.

“I am sure you all recall that small to medium enterprises have been proven to be an important driver and engine for economic development.

“Without doubt, Kuyedza Women’s Club has to be a formidable player in the small to medium enterprises sector. It is such outstanding achievements that provide other institutions with the inspirational benchmark to emulate.”

Dr Mugabe said the Kuyedza Women’s Club had made a huge impact in the SMEs sector.

“It has to be said that the unfolding success story of the club is not only amassing wealth, but also an inspirational confirmation of the undoubted fruits of a well managed entrepreneurial vision.

“In this vein, I would want to applaud the vice president of Kuyedza Women’s Club, Dr Isabel Chihuri, for her visionary leadership and empowering astute mentorship.”

She said the club’s leadership should be commended for creating an enabling environment with momentum that had built a high performing professional institution.

Dr Mugabe said she was happy to note that the club had created employment not only for its members, but for their families and the public.

She said she was pleased that Minister Nyoni and Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha had pledged to support the club’s programmes.

“Given this positive development, I want to urge Kuyedza Women’s Club to exploit the window availed by the Government in particular, the Statutory Instrument 64/ 2016, which promotes the production of local goods,” Dr Mugabe said.

Police Commissioner-General Dr Augustine Chihuri, assured the First Lady that both the force and the club would draw inspiration from her wise counsel.

He applauded Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo for being a pillar of support to the force and to Kuyedza Women’s Club.

“The vice president of Kuyedza Women’s Club Dr I Chihuri and your team, thank you for driving the club to this great and commendable magnitude.

“I urge you to keep up the good work,” said Dr Chihuri .

The ceremony was attended by Home Affairs Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo, Namibian Minister of Home Affairs and Immigration Mrs Pendukeni Livula Ithana and Mount Pleasant Legislator Cde Jaison Pasade, senior police and Government officials.