Online Reporter
Emmanuel Kafe
RISING entrepreneurs should prioritise building meaningful connections, driving impact and fostering cross-border collaboration over profit to drive economic growth and enhance global partnerships, Skills Audit and Development Minister Professor Paul Mavima has said.
Speaking at the Global Business Achievers Network (GBAN) awards ceremony held in Harare yesterday, Prof Mavima said Zimbabwe’s economic progress depends on strengthening networks, sharing knowledge and working together across sectors and countries.
“It is through networking, sharing knowledge and uniting across borders that we will overcome the barriers of limited resources, policy challenges and economic turbulence,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is a nation of resilience. We are rich in ideas, talent and we are open for business.
“But to unlock our full potential, we must continue to build bridges: between sectors, between nations and between generations.
“Let us use the Global Business Achievers Network as one of those bridges.”
He challenged entrepreneurs to go beyond simply collecting contacts and focus instead on building meaningful relationships and exchanging valuable insights.
Prof Mavima also called for a renewed commitment to business excellence, innovation and global engagement, urging attendees to use the event as a springboard for future growth and partnerships.
GBAN chief executive officer Dr Tendesai Mushamba said the event was the first of its kind and had attracted business leaders from across the region and beyond.
“The key goal is to interact and learn from one another, it is about such experiences that we identify challenges and how we can overcome them to move our country forward,” he said.
“In business, showcasing local opportunities must become a hallmark of our network’s agenda.”
The ceremony was attended by several notable local and international dignitaries.
Among the SADC region representatives were Sibusisiwe Nkomo and Princess Kelelo PM Dhlamini from South Africa, HRH Molive Otto, a king from Cameroon, Brendon Bartolomeu from Mozambique, and Masego Serameng and Keamogetse Nkgare from Botswana.
Platinum Awards, recognising outstanding achievement, were presented to Cleopas Chiketa of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Maxwell Chitendeni of Zimpost and Pretty Mlalazi, CEO of Yakah Bricks.
