‘Let’s look at new models of competitiveness’

Victoria Falls Reporter
THE country should look at new models of economic competitiveness such as infrastructural development, beneficiation and clusters if the nation is to get maximum benefits from its resources, Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara said yesterday.Addressing delegates to the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) annual general meeting in Victoria Falls, Prof Mutambara said infrastructural development was the enabler of economic development while beneficiation and clusters were key elements and foundations.

“Infrastructural development is the key enabler for everything. Roads, water, public works all rely on a good infrastructure. Without infrastructure, there is no competiveness to talk about. We must redefine this model by fixing our infrastructure such as roads, energy and roads and provision of infrastructural development is very important for the country.

“Beneficiation is also very important as we need to incubate, protect and unleash our products to the country. Since we have the natural resources we can be producers of furniture for example and trade with Botswana for something else. It is all about protecting what we have for the growth of the economy.”

Prof Mutambara said a cluster was a grouping of industries and said the country should define its clusters.
He said Manicaland, with its diamonds, can be made a diamond cluster while Chegutu-gezi could be a cluster for platinum and Matabeleland a cluster for coal and tourism.

“When we have these clusters we know that locals and the whole country benefit.”
He said the Government should also have policies that were constant and predictable.

“If a policy is predictable, the country can be very competitive. A bad policy is better than no policy at all. The private sector, business and Government should speak with one voice and that is part of defining a competitive terrain that produces conducive policies,” said Prof Mutambara.

He said human capital was also more important than cash and emphasis should be channeled towards identifying talent in human capital.
“Yes we have the land and minerals and we pride ourselves as having the most educated people but we need to identify talent which is more than cash.

“We need more people like the Chiyangwas, Chanakiras and Masiyiwas and less of Mutambaras. These people had talent and used it to make money and generate employment for many people,” he said.