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Midlands Bureau
Zimbabwe is in the right hands and people should give the new administration time to turn around the economy, business mogul Dr Shingi Mutasa has said.
Dr Mutasa, who is also the chairperson of fertiliser producer Sable Chemicals said this while addressing captains of industry and commerce during the official opening of the 9th Edition of the Kwekwe Expo in Kwekwe on Friday last week.
Dr Mutasa hailed the President Mnangagwa-led administration for prioritising turning around the economy and deviating from the previous administration, which he said expended more time on politics ahead of the economy
“I am very pleased with the progress the country’s economy has made in the past seven to eight months since the new Government came in. The leadership is focused more on the economy rather than history. For the first time, the leadership is more focused on the economy rather than spending time discussing and correcting historical perceptions,” said Dr Mutasa.
He said Zimbabwe has great potential and is well resourced to make the economy tick.
“We have the capacity, we have the resources and infrastructure to build our economy.
“We also have the human capital, most people are learned in Zimbabwe, all we need is a correct mindset and our economy can become one of the fastest growing,” said Dr Mutasa.
He said turning around Zimbabwe needed a collective approach than adopting a wait-and-see attitude.
“If we do not begin to believe in ourselves to shape our own future, then there is nothing we can achieve. We must play our roles as citizens,” said Dr Mutasa.
“Sable Chemicals for example is a game changer in the agricultural sector. We may not be producing at 100 percent capacity, but we believe that someday, given the proper resources, the company will be able to produce more and force competitors to reduce prices.”
Speaking at the same gathering, Lamcast managing director Mr Lamulani Sithole challenged local authorities to also play their role in the economic turnaround strategy.
“Municipalities play a major role in the development of an economy. I challenge the local authorities here present to work hard and revamp our infrastructure.
“We are still using inherited infrastructure from the colonial era which now needs upgrading,” he said.
The expo, which was held under the theme: “Consolidating our Local Economic Development,” was attended by various companies from across the country.
Kwekwe Expo chairperson Mr Erick Musesengwe said the expo was a success despite the economic hardships the country is currently experiencing.
“We want to thank all the companies that managed to attend despite the biting economic challenges. We are grateful for the support and hope we have also played our part in providing the platform for sharing of ideas by captains of industry,” said Mr Musesengwe.
Online Reporter