adminNgoni Dapira Business Correspondent
THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries Manicaland chapter will avail its assessment report on the state of industries in the province during its congress which runs from next Wednesday to Friday. This was revealed by CZI Manicaland chairman, Mr Franky Kufa, during a Press conference last Friday.
The report titled: ‘Challenges facing Manicaland industry’ will be presented to the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Cde Mike Bimha, who will officially open the congress.
Mr Kufa said the congress would start with the tour of the Nyakamete Industrial Area on Wednesday. Delegates are expected to visit Cairns Foods, Kenrose Filters and Quest Motors to give Minister Bimha an idea about the dire state of the local manufacturing industry.
He added that there would also be a tour of Mutare Bottling Company which is a prime example of the few industrious companies left in the province.
“This congress comes to Mutare at the right time when the few remaining key industries like Quest Motors and Cairns Food are on the verge of collapse.
“Most workshops tend to be talk-shops, but we want this congress to be different. Everything will be in line with Government’s economic blueprint Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) and how we can move our local industry to the next level,” said Mr Kufa.
Mr Kufa said CZI was working closely with Government on economic turnaround strategies with Zim-Asset as the anchor.
He, however, said the current reflection of the economy was bad and realism was needed to shape the economy.
“The economy has been faced with a number of challenges and as a result macroeconomic figures point to a deteriorating economy. Government revenue in the first five-months of the year was lower by eight percent compared to the same period last year.
“VAT collections have also gone down by about 16 percent in the first five-months compared to the same period last year…
“The preliminary survey to determine performance in the first half of the year 2014 shows a decline in the economy and the capacity utilization which was at 39 percent is now at 37 percent.
“We have possible solutions to these but the first step will be for Government to be realistic about the state of our economy,” he said.
Among some of the solutions outlined, Mr Kufa said the private sector was owed a lot of money by Government and there was need for an offset mechanism to allow companies to operate.
CZI Manicaland vice-chairman, Mr Richard Chivandire, said as a nation we must focus on Zim-Asset, but what was critical was for Government to show its commitment in the economic restoration process and endure policy consistence.
Mr Chivandire invited all local companies and entrepreneurs to attend the congress and have their voice heard.
Mr Kufa added that local companies were free to come and exhibit their products and services for free.
Norwegian development economist and renowned international speaker, Professor Erik Reinert, will be the main speaker at the congress, which will be running under the theme, “Taking Zimbabwe’s Industry to the next level”.
CZI chief executive officer, Mr Clifford Sileya, said the congress would assume a highly participatory and interactive set-up to usher in constructive debate for nation building.
There will also be a speaker from Mauritius representing the MINT economies comprising Mauritius, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey.
The MINT economies are emerging economies just like the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) economies.
Mr Sileya added that locally there will be speakers from both the private sector and the Government ministries.
Online Reporter