Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has pledged to intensify the fight against counterfeit and smuggled goods while rolling out new incentives to support investment and industrial revival in Bulawayo, as the city seeks to reclaim its position as Zimbabwe’s industrial hub.
The commitments were made during the Bulawayo Exhibition and Hall of Fame Awards held recently, where businesses and entrepreneurs recognised for driving employment, innovation and community development were honoured.
Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi said local manufacturers were making significant inroads into the domestic market, with the amount of shelf space occupied by locally produced goods in retail outlets increasing from about 10 percent to more than 60 percent.
“This is proof that Zimbabwean products can compete and win. But we cannot be complacent,” he said.
Deputy Minister Modi said counterfeit and smuggled products continued to undermine legitimate businesses and were estimated to cost Zimbabwe about US$1,2 billion annually. The figure has also been cited by Government in its wider campaign against counterfeit and illicit trade.
“Under the National Development Strategy 2, we have intensified the fight. The Consumer Protection Commission, Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA), and the Zimbabwe Republic
Police are working together to dismantle counterfeit supply chains,” he said.
He said digital verification platforms were also being used to help consumers authenticate products using mobile phones.
“My commitment to you tonight is this: We will continue to protect your markets. We will enforce quality standards rigorously, and we will ensure that Zimbabwean products receive the recognition and protection they deserve,” said Deputy Minister Modi.
He also challenged large companies to integrate small and medium enterprises into their supply chains, citing Carousel as an example of a company whose expansion created opportunities for SME Next Generation Consulting.
The partnership reportedly helped the SME grow from 12 machinists to 65 while also providing training opportunities for vulnerable members of the community.
“The Government is committed to creating policy frameworks that institutionalise corporate-SME linkages. We will explore procurement incentives for companies that meet local content thresholds, and we will require transparency in local sourcing,” he said.
“Partner with our SMEs, mentor them, source from them. Let us grow together.”
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube, who was represented at the event by Mr Faison Antonio, said Government had approved the framework for Integrated Provincial Special Economic Zones (IP-SEZs), with Bulawayo set to receive the designation.
The IP-SEZ framework was approved by Cabinet as part of efforts to promote decentralised industrial development, investment attraction, employment creation and value addition across the provinces.
“This will bring substantial tax, financial and logistical incentives to drive industrial revival and attract both domestic and international investment,” said Minister Ncube.
She said Bulawayo-based companies had absorbed 33 percent of the approved funding under the Government’s Industrial Development Fund, which is aimed at supporting the revival of manufacturing.
“This demonstrates that our city is ready to reclaim its crown as Zimbabwe’s industrial powerhouse,” she said.
Minister Ncube also cited the contribution of SMEs to the national economy, saying they accounted for more than 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product and employed more than 70 percent of the national workforce.
“They are the job creators, the problem solvers and the community builders who form the backbone of our city’s economy,” she said.
She urged residents and institutions to support local businesses under the campaign “Buy Local, Support Local, Grow Bulawayo”, while calling on financial institutions to develop products suited to the needs of small businesses.
Youth Network Connect director Mr Philimon Nyirenda said localisation needed to move beyond slogans and become an economic strategy.
“Localisation is not just a nice-to-have. It is a strategic imperative towards building a more resilient economy,” he said.
He said stronger local and regional value chains could make Zimbabwe less vulnerable to disruptions in international supply chains, particularly through deeper economic integration within SADC and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“It is not a choice. It is a necessity,” said Mr Nyirenda.
He said Bulawayo’s entrepreneurs, ranging from informal traders and farmers to artisans and technology start-ups, remained an important part of the city’s economic ecosystem.
“When we buy locally, we do far more than purchase a product. We support jobs, we strengthen families and we invest in the future of Bulawayo,” he said.
The Government’s planned IP-SEZ framework is intended to establish specialised economic zones across the country based on provincial comparative advantages, with Bulawayo earmarked for sectors including agro-processing, tourism, renewable energy and diamond processing.
The latest measures come amid efforts to strengthen local production, curb illicit competition and attract investment to Bulawayo’s manufacturing base, which officials say is central to the city’s industrial revival.
