adminNgoni Dapira
Business Correspondent
THE Manicaland Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries will soon conduct a survey on the state of industry and craft a five-year industrial plan, Post Business has learnt.
CZI Manicaland chairman, Mr Richard Chiwandire last week said given the deteriorating outlook of long-established industry in Mutare’s Nyakamete Industrial area, short-term and long-term industrial plans were needed to chart a way forward for the province.
“We are a province endowed with so many natural resources but our industry is collapsing. Either some of the industry had outlived its time like Karina Textiles and Mutare Board or Paper Mill or it is us who are failing? This will be the thrust of the survey as we want to ensure the fourth largest city in the country remains robust with active industry,” said Mr Chiwandire.
Mr Chiwandire added that the research would also look at futuristic projects that can be harnessed given the abundant natural resources in the province as well as its proximity to the Beira port in Mozambique.
Presently a local consortium, Willowton Group, recently acquired the liquidated Karina Textiles in Mutare and has targeted setting up a state-of-the-art oil refinery and soap manufacturing plant by year end.
Mr Chiwandire said these were the tell signs of the potential to create new industry, which the survey seeks to carry out.
The CZI chairman also commented on the increased sacking of employees as a threat to national security if it continued unabated.
Last month giant sugar producer, Tongaat Hulett, sacked thousands of contract and full-time workers.
“Several companies are discharging employees to cut costs in order to stay afloat and a national survey should be conducted to decipher the consequences of this especially when it comes to strategic, big industries like Tongaat. We have very learned economists who should map a way forward and we trust Government will take heed when such report findings are presented,” said Mr Chiwandire.
CZI chief executive officer, Mr Clifford Sileya said as the voice of industry they intend on promoting an engaged, consultative and nationalistic approach by taking a long-term developmental view and to focus on quality and global benchmarking.
“We want to promote an entrepreneurial, innovative and collaborative approach to partnerships, communities and markets to build an inclusive and sustainable growth model through technological innovation and disciplined business practices. This will focus on continuous productivity improvements for agriculture and industry through specific world class initiatives such as lean manufacturing,” said Mr Sileya.
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