adminDelegates at the just ended Buy Zimbabwe Buy Local Summit have committed to local procurement to enhance local production and propel economic growth.
This will require Government to take a leading role and support businesses through policies that promote local manufacturing, consumption of local products and discourage imports.
Industry has cried foul over the influx of cheap imports posing unfair competition to locally manufactured goods.
This has crippled the manufacturing sector with capacity utilisation falling to as low as 36 percent.
One of the resolutions made at the summit is to change the mindset of consumers.
There is a misconception that locally produced goods are of cheaper quality compared to imports, a situation described as disastrous and a setback to the Buy Local initiative.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Mashonaland Chamber president Mr Sifelani Jabangwe said: “As Zimbabweans, we need to take a leading role to change the negative perception, we need to think and act positive for the growth of our industry.”
Some of the resolutions from the summit in brief:
Enhance competitiveness of local products
Consider price adjustments
Boost agriculture for self sufficiency
Develop new skills in order to enhance value addition
Petition Government to lead the buy local initiative
Celebrate Zimbabwe’s successful brands.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter