O impacto do sector micro, pequeno e médio empresarial no crescimento da economia Moçambicana

Abstract

This research examined the role of SMEs in Mozambique's economic growth, between 2007 and 2022, through a qualitative and quantitative analysis that first looked at the current context of the SME sector in the country, as well as the main constraints it has faced, and then an empirical analysis that sought to estimate the impact of SMEs on economic growth, using the modern theory of SME-based economic growth. In order to achieve its objective, the work used a methodology that essentially consisted of estimating an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) econometric model, using the stata econometric package, based on annual time series totaling 16 observations corresponding to the period from 2007 to 2022. The research is based on the hypothesis that the activities and performance of SMEs have a positive impact on Mozambican economic growth, through the direct and indirect benefits arising from two main means: their level of production and the hiring of labor. The econometric model used to estimate the impact of SMEs on economic growth related the annual growth rate of Mozambican GDP as the dependent variable and, as independent/explanatory variables: total turnover of SMEs; total workers employed by SMEs; participation rate of the qualified workforce; gross fixed capital formation and population growth rate. The main results of the study indicate a positive and significant effect of SMEs on the country's economic growth. According to the estimates, keeping all the other factors impacting on the country's economic growth rate, a 1% increase in the level of SME production generates an increase of 0.01 percentage points in the economic growth rate in the short term and 0.06 percentage points in the long term. (TRADUÇAO NOSSA)