Buy Zimbabwe summit begins

Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE 2016 Buy Zimbabwe annual summit begins today in Mutare with deliberations centred on promoting the revival of the agriculture industry for the growth and development of the economy.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa will give a key note address and officially open the event tomorrow.

The summit is expected to start with deliberations on regenerating linkages with the industry with a focus on constraints and opportunities to unlocking agricultural growth.

Delegates and presenters will also discuss policy issues, finance and inputs, production and productivity logistics and how these impact on the economy.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha will this afternoon present a paper on the Government’s perspective on reducing food imports and dependency through industrialisation.

Agri-Bank chief executive officer Sam Malaba will join the summit to talk about industry, markets and agriculture value chains, constraints and opportunities.

The summit will also have a series of plenary discussions.

Tomorrow, discussions will also focus on repositioning the mining sector for growth and enhanced local procurement and creating shared value.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa is expected to talk about progress made so far on the amendment of the Mines and Minerals Act for enhanced local procurement within the industry.

Chamber of Mines president Toindepi Muganyi will also talk about the mining industry’s potential and the desired policy environment- transparency, accountability and local procurement.

The Buy Zimbabwe summit will also focus on enhancing local participation in public sector projects.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo is also expected to present a paper on the progress and opportunities on the dualisation of the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu highway.

Also to take centre-stage at the summit is the currency issue where delegates will also look at measures to end the current liquidity crunch.

The summit, which ends on Friday, will also look at promoting local procurement through a local content index in public projects, mining, manufacturing and retail sectors.

Summit resolutions will be drawn at the end of the event.