CZI conference to focus on local firms’ competitiveness

Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
THE stage is set for the annual Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) conference which begins in Gweru today. CZI president, Busisa Moyo, said this year’s conference was focused on ensuring the competitiveness of the local industry in the wake of stiff competition from cheap imports and increasing exports to the region and beyond.

Captains of industry, policy makers and think tanks will engage on different productivity related topics under theme: “Unlocking manufacturing competitiveness”.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to deliver the keynote address on Friday.

“We’ll be engaging various stakeholders including government and policymakers so that we come up with resolutions, which will ensure the revitalisation of the local industry,” said Moyo.

“In line with this year’s theme, it is our fervent hope that industry can produce for the local market competitively and be able to export to the region competitively.”

Moyo said the conference would also see captains of industry as well as government officials and other stakeholders touring some distressed industries in the Midlands capital as well as those which are still operating.

“We want to have an appreciation of the challenges that the industries are facing in Gweru and in the entire Midlands. The province is home to some of the heaviest industries in the country, which have a bearing on the revival of the economy,” said the CZI boss.

Moyo said some of the challenges facing the manufacturing industry, which the indaba was expected to look into, include antiquated machinery, cost of doing business, myriad of regulatory requirements as well as high cost of borrowing.

Weak domestic demand, high unemployment figures, a widening trade deficit, weakening of the Rand to the United States Dollar and the unreliable supply of utilities are some of the challenges which have affected the local industry with capacity utilisation hovering at just over 36 percent.

Some of the companies to be toured include Sino Cement Zimbabwe Company, Zimbabwe Glass Industries and Bata Shoe Company among others.