Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo,
POWER cuts are among the issues affecting viability and competitiveness of industries, an official has said.
In a presentation during the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Matabeleland Annual General Meeting in Bulawayo on Tuesday, CZI chief executive officer Ms Sekai Kuvarika said there are many issues that are affecting industries in Zimbabwe, which include access to finance for retooling, uncertainty in the economic environment and regulatory costs, which she said is affecting competitiveness.
She singled out power cuts as major obstacle to continuous production.
Ms Kuvarika also indicated that overally the gross domestic product figures are growing with the manufacturing sector dropping while other sectors like mining, agriculture and finance are growing.
She said this has seen a growth in imports, adding there is need for capacitation and support of the manufacturing sector so that they provide equipment for the sectors which are growing at the same time reducing the import bill and promoting value chain development and growth.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter