Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Ministry of Industry and Commerce has commended the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan (ZIGRP) 2024-2025, saying that the country has recorded notable achievements during the operation of the framework in supporting industrial growth.
ZIGRP is a transitional plan, crafted to bridge the gap between the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy 1 (ZNIDP1) that ended in December 2023 and the upcoming ZNIDP2 (2026 to 2030).
In his remarks during the recently held ZNIDP 2 consultative workshop held in Bulawayo, Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, who was being represented by provincial director Mrs Mary Chingonzoh, said ZIGRP has begun delivering tangible results. He said it is important to acknowledge these achievements and build on them as the nation prepares for the next phase of its industrial journey.
“Allow me to recognise the progress made under initiatives such as ZIRGP. Among the notable successes is the establishment of the Government’s Anti-Smuggling Task Force, which has made significant strides in combating illegal imports and counterfeit goods,” said Dr Wushe.
“These efforts have gone a long way in protecting our local industries, fostering revenue collection, boosting fair competition, and safeguarding jobs.”
“Furthermore, the implementation of the Local Content Strategy has been instrumental in promoting the consumption of locally produced goods and services.”
Dr Wushe said this approach has ramped up demand for local products, enhanced value addition, and benefited key sectors.
During the period under review, Dr Wushe said the Government set up a multi-stakeholder Local Content Steering Committee, which continues to oversee and expand these efforts, ensuring that Zimbabwe’s industries benefit from greater local participation and job creation.
Complementing this, the Government remains fully supportive of local procurement and strengthening the ‘Buy Zimbabwe’ campaign as a vital driver of economic growth.
“By prioritising the purchase of Zimbabwean-made goods and services, we aim to empower our local industries, generate employment, and foster a culture of patriotism and confidence in our products,” he said.
He said the Government’s efforts in rural industrialisation have also begun bearing fruit, with industries setting up manufacturing facilities in rural and peri-urban areas, thereby creating employment, reducing poverty, and bringing value-addition closer to raw material sources.
These initiatives are aligned with the Government’s commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring no region or community is left behind as the nation builds a resilient economy.
In addition, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is actively advancing key strategies, such as the development of the Retail and Wholesale Sector Strategy, which aims to address distribution challenges and promote fair trade practices.
The Local Content Strategy is being reviewed to include more sectors, thereby further strengthening linkages between local industries, SMEs, and other stakeholders to foster sustainable growth.
In his presentation, Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) chief economist Dr Cornelius Dube said the ZNIDP2 is being built on a strong foundation, with the nation experiencing some positive industrial development.
He said the manufacturing sector has recorded some growth, with the industry standing at an average capacity utilisation of 51 percent, targeting to reach 60 percent during the ZNIDP2.
“ZNIDP 2 is coming at a time when there is growth in the manufacturing sector; the growth is low, but there is growth, and if we start noticing a negative growth rate during the new policy, it means the measures we have put in place have not been successful,” said Dr Dube.
On specific objectives, Dr Dube said ZNIDP2 should increase the share of the manufacturing sector contribution to GDP from the current average of 16,1 percent to an average of 20 percent over the plan period.
The sector also targets to attain a manufacturing growth rate from the current annual average of 1,6 percent per annum over the past four years to an annual average of at least 5 percent per annum over the plan period.
Other issues include increasing manufactured exports from the current average of 7,5 percent per annum to an average of 10 percent, and increasing the contribution of manufacturing to total employment from the current average of 8,3 percent to an average of 12 percent over the plan period.
Meanwhile, the ministry, in partnership with CZI, is holding some consultative workshops across the country in the process to formulate the ZNIDP2, which will run with the National Development Strategy 2.
Bongani Ndlovu