Govt gifts Byo with textile manufacturing firm

A TEXTILE manufacturing firm is set for construction in Bulawayo under a Women’s Affairs, Community and Small to Medium Enterprises project targeting youths and women.

The project is funded by the African Development Bank.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the ministry and the Bulawayo City Council on Tuesday to kickstart the project.

Secretary in the ministry, Mavis Sibanda said the project was a youths and women empowerment initiative.

“Through the Sustainable Enterprises Development for Women and Youth projects, this project aims to economically empower women and build their capacity to participate in value chain development,” she said.

“The project seeks to harness the potential of youth and women by addressing their capacity gaps and enabling them to stimulate value addition and beneficiation along the target value chains to improve decent job creation.

“The project also aims at contributing to the reduction of gender-based violence, youth unemployment and gender inequality, and addressing shortage of skills, among women and youths.”

International Labour Organisation (ILO) communication and information officer, Maria Mutandwa, representing ILO director Philile Masuku, said the project is aimed at fostering enterprise development and job creation.

“Firstly, it seeks to address the pressing need for economic revitalisation in Bulawayo, a city known for its industrial prowess, but facing economic challenges in recent years,” she said.

“Secondly, by focusing on the textile industry, the centre aims to leverage local expertise and resources to reignite the industrial activity and create job opportunities, especially for women who are often marginalised in the workplace.”

The textile manufacturing firm will be situated along Khami road.

Bulawayo, once termed the country’s industrial hub, has suffered years of de-industrialisation.