Chronicle Editor
Chronicle Reporter
Bulawayo mayor councillor Solomon Mguni has said the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), which begins in the city today, is a platform for it to attract more investment.
The 62nd edition of the exposition, running under the theme “Rethink, Reimagine, Reinvent – Value Chains for Economic Development,” ends on Saturday.
Clr Mguni said: “The theme embodies the direction that Zimbabwe and the rest of the world are taking as we slowly come out of the pandemic. It is a reminder that innovation is an essential driver of economic progress and survival. The importance of technology and innovation has been noted as very key in the new normal and this has called on us to rethink, reimagine and reinvent how we manage our processes.
The Covid-19 pandemic has called on us to reboot and restart the production process. In the 18th century during the industrial revolution, steam engines were used in factories for mass production and this led to the growth of industry.
Over the years, we have noted that technology revolutionising and transforming how we produce, sell goods and services and also open up new markets and new businesses. The pandemic has shown that without technology, it will be a challenge for our businesses and our operations to survive.”
He stressed the criticality of technology in doing business.
“Technology has also presented new ways in which we can lead to higher productivity, and generate more output,” he said.
“The value chains for economic growth are also encouraging us to have a disruptive growth strategy where we have to push for renewal, stabilisation and growth of our businesses.”
During this year’s trade fair, the city will profile its vision of a smart city status, he said.
“This vision was crafted in recognition of the need to transform and reinvent ourselves to a smart city and also improve the operational efficiency of the organisation,” said the mayor.
“We note the importance of the smart city concept in not only achieving our vision but also the vision of an Empowered and Prosperous Upper Middle Income Society by 2030 as outlined in the National Development Strategy 1.
The key clusters of a smart city such as smart economic, smart people, smart mobility, smart environment and smart living are key in Bulawayo’s growth trajectory. Our focus has been to ensure that we develop new ways in which we can use information technology combined with infrastructure, architecture to address social, economic and environmental problems.
We are focused on ensuring that we improve on resource efficiency and sustainability to transform and strengthen the Municipality’s economic, business environment, city attractiveness for start-up and investors. We are focused on growing the economy in an innovative and sustainable way in a bid to increase competitiveness.”
He said by utilising digital technology and intelligent approaches, the city hopes to achieve economic prosperity that, in turn, will generate stable and favourable conditions for all stakeholders.
“Advances in technologies will also help us streamline procedures, providing a seamless experience to businesses,” he said.
“We note that the use of technology based on use of ICT for economic growth, urban planning, and public health improvement among others, will help Bulawayo achieve a smart city status.
“The City of Bulawayo seeks to implement and achieve this status in recognition of the importance of the sustainable development goals and the National Development Strategy 1. We note that we also have to promote sustainability, and also contribute to the Paris Agreement signed in 2015.
“Our role will be to work with the various industries in Bulawayo in ensuring that we participate in the Race to Zero where we not only improve our value chains in economic growth but improve our value chains in managing greenhouse gas emissions.The City of Bulawayo welcomes Investors and exhibitors to the City of Kings. We invite you to partake in the city’s magnificent scenes and to also visit our various tourism destination in and around Bulawayo,” said Clr Mguni.
Online Reporter