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Business Reporter
THE business community has hailed President Mugabe’s call for doubling of efforts to ensure accelerated economic growth and development.
In its congratulatory message after President Mugabe’s inauguration at the National Sports Stadium last Thursday, the Chamber of Mines said it was inspired by his call to double efforts for economic turnaround.
“We are inspired by the President’s call for Zimbabweans and all economic players in the country to double their efforts aimed at ensuring higher levels of economic growth and prosperity for the country.
“The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe takes note of the President’s focus on mining as pivotal in the economic transformation agenda of Zimbabwe.”
The Chamber of Mines pledged its commitment to playing its part in the Government to grow and develop in order to unlock its full potential.
President Mugabe was inaugurated as the Head of State and Government after posting a resounding victory in the July 31 harmonised elections.
“We wish to congratulate His Excellency President Robert Gabriel Mugabe and indeed the entire nation of Zimbabwe on this momentous occasion.
We convey our best wishes to President Mugabe and his incoming team as they lead our nation to success.
“The Chamber of Mines, working with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and related ministries will continue to play an active role in pursuit of development of the mining industry and economy at large.”
In his acceptance speech after his inauguration President Mugabe said the mining sector would anchor macro-economic growth in the next few years in view of its massive potential to leverage economic growth.
Immediate past president of the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Mr Kumbirai Katsande said industry was encouraged by the President’s statement on the idea of working on an economic miracle.
“We are very encouraged by the President’s statement, his theme on the need for an economic miracle. This is what the country can unite around.
“The President laid the unifying theme. We should now work around the theme of the economic miracle and there is need for a new mindset, we cannot continue to operate as if it’s business as usual,” he said.
In an interview on the sidelines of the President’s inauguration, former CZI president Mr Joseph Kanyekanye said the challenge for the incoming Government will be to restore stability and confidence in the economy.
Mr Kanyekanye said it was critical that the country adheres to market-related policies adding that there was urgent need for two or more anchor projects in order to stimulate activity in the economy,” he said.
“I would also suggest that there has been a perennial problem of trying to secure funding for Zimbabwe, we must also pursue non-conventional means of leveraging natural resources so that we create a US$2 billion to US$4 billion stimulus by leveraging resources.
“We believe that the next five years will be essentially good for us particularly if we work together as Zimbabweans and focus on what is really imperative to grow our economy,” the former CZI president said.
He said Zimbabwe required foreign direct investment to stimulate economic growth and considering the liquidity crisis in the economy it was imperative to re-engage with external and multilateral partners.
Online Reporter