adminTanaka Mahanya and Jethro Murahwi
Harare Metropolitan Provincial Affairs and Devolution permanent secretary, Tafadzwa Muguti, has called for the promotion and consumption of locally-produced goods to enhance economic growth.
Speaking during a tour of Pure Oils Private Limited, trading as Zimgold, Muguti said:
“This is one of the companies doing quite well in the province.
“We want to commit that we will continue supporting industry, especially with the mantra of buying Zimbabwe, providing sufficient food and nutrition for Zimbabweans using our companies.
“We are going to ensure that as Government, we plan with our industries on how we can target a reduction in importation of crude oil and increase the uptake of local products,” he said.
Muguti said they are committed to protecting local brands and reducing the uptake of other products competing with local jobs.
“Each time we import products, we are taking away jobs from local companies.
“People should buy local, enjoy local products, and use foreign currency when they import other resources.”
He said the Government has a number of policies in place to help capacitate Zimgold, and hailed the company for contributing to economic growth.
“Everything they are producing at the moment is for the domestic market.
“The country is importing 70-80 percent crude oil due to a shortage of soya beans, and we are seeing that there is a huge market for our farmers to exploit.
“There is huge demand for soya bean and sunflower.
“The company has started growing canola, which is very healthy.
“Zimgold also employs more than 500 people working at this plant, meaning that more than 5 000 people depend on the organisation directly and indirectly,” he said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter