Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Bhebhe in Victoria Falls
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has officially opened the second edition of the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON 2023) challenging the country to harness domestic resources to build for accelerated economic growth, stressing that Zimbabwe is still open for business.
The conference is held under the theme, “Public and Private Resource Mobilisation for Sustainable Development.”
Addressing delegates here in Victoria Falls, President Mnangagwa said illegal economic sanctions imposed on the country should spur the nation to critically think outside the box and accelerate economic growth.
“As a country under sanctions, we must not bury our heads in the sand but must grow the economy faster than those countries not under sanctions,” he said.
He added that external partners are free to assist in development projects but under Zimbabwe’s own terms.
“If we are going to borrow external concepts, we’ll get lost but it is critical to build the country using our own models.”
The President added that innovation hubs have been introduced in all universities and as a result of innovation hubs, more products have been patented.
He urged the industry sector to collaborate with universities adding that the country should not underrate the immense talent among locals.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter