Mind shift is the real policy !

suggesting that the launch of the policy only solves half the challenges bedevilling all sectors of the economy, particularly manufacturing.
The need to shift mindsets is one critical aspect that has to be grasped if the economy is to achieve real GDP growth this year and going forward.
A defeatist mentality that has occupied the minds and systems for too long will only result in little or no “thinking outside the box” as many resign to fate.
In instances where some have dared overcome impediments, results have been there for all to see. Innovation and creativity have been the buzzwords.
We can never overemphasise the need for an industrial development policy but we should also not lose sight of the fact that this is a mere document that will need to be operationalised.
But for this to happen, the need to adopt more aggressive and never-say-never attitudes will carry the day for this economy.
If others did it, why can’t we “did” it too. The international stage is fraught with examples of economies that have made it from scratch, my favourite being the Asian Tigers. These countries – China, Singapore, Malaysia and the lot – never cease to amaze me. From nobodies, they have grown into big economies that have a huge impact on the global economic landscape.
Locally, we have examples of such companies as Delta Corporation, Dairibord, Econet, Seed Co and quite a number that have seen their balance sheet grow in an environment when many are crying foul.
What tricks have they employed? They may come up with technical explanations that could constitute a whole thesis but I would simply say that aggressiveness, seizing the slightest opportunities, and just making the best of the situation, have seen these companies and more on the top companies list achieve where many continue to struggle.
Granted, the problems are still there and are increasingly threatening to choke the economy further but a certain degree of “stubbornness” where decisions are made to turn a blind eye to impending risks, will produce results.
I am still to secure an appointment with Industrial Development Corporation chief executive Mr Mike Ndudzo, but I should think one of the companies under his brief, Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries, can come up with schemes targeting companies in the public and private sectors to supply specific cars at a discount, as one strategy to circumvent challenges brought about by second-hand imports.
If they are doing this already, they need to up the level at which this is happening so that they can return to profitability.
Other such strategies can be pursued to the extent that Mazda will give the imports a run for their money.
If Dairibord is troubled by milk and cheese imports, it can find ways of literally forcing its products down customers’ throats in one way or the other, to increase sales volumes, hence profits.
Delta has successfully managed to send home dozens of beer and soft drink products that had captured its market a few years ago, reclaiming its market share.
These successes have happened when the playing field is still not as level.
Therefore, other corporates need to do the same to achieve results.
Let’s change our thought processes, let’s change our attitudes towards each other as Government and the private sector, as management and workers, as colleagues, as neighbours, as competitors and complement that which Government is seeking to achieve through the crafting of a new Industrial Development Policy that will run from this year to 2015.
We can begin to experience real change and real growth in the way we do business while more life will be induced into systems of operations.
Positive thinking has a way of making things gravitate towards the right direction.
As producers, let us do the best we can for the consumer in terms of quality and customer service. As consumers let us support local products and services without necessarily compromising on quality.
A fortnight ago I attended a regional conference on women hosted by Zimbabwe and which brought together women from 12 countries on the continent where they resolved that they would not mourn about their situation and decided to be more proactive and bulldoze their way through any impediments.
Indeed, this is the attitude that will produce results. This is the attitude that will see them receive more attention than before.
This is the attitude that will make policymakers pause for a moment and turn every policy document into not just an environmentally friendly one but also a gender-sensitive one to ensure gender parity.
This is certainly the way to go.
Economic and social commentator Albert Nhamoyebonde sent an email on his thoughts about the subject:
Your Thursday article (April 21) hit the nail on the head. You are right that, seminars, economic policies from whatever source are not the answer to our economic problems. If Econet, Dairibord and many other companies can be successful without the so-called industrial policy, then why is the country importing 70 percent of supermarket goods?
It has been reported that there is one car to five people in Zimbabwe while there is one car to every 150 people in Malawi. Malawi produced 3 million tonnes of maize in 2010 while Zimbabwe barely produced 1,2 million tonnes last season. If the country is busy importing goods like cars and consumables, surely, we should not behave like a developed country that thrives on imports.
A developing economy cannot be sustained by a service sector. It requires a manufacturing sector which can only develop through agricultural production. Do we need an industrial policy to develop agriculture?
Resources are going into buying cars, houses and food products that we do not produce. Cars that we produce at Willowvale Motors are being crowded out of the market by second-hand imports which are banned in South Africa to protect their manufacturing sector.
I do not believe an industrial policy is required to do what every economist knows. The problem is that we do not have a culture which is based on production like the Asian countries. Our culture promotes consumption at all costs.
We are not proud of what we have produced but proud of what we have imported. All the money from the service sector is being shipped out of the country to quench appetite for imports.
We are now into exporting our educated class which satisfies our appetite for imports. The money they send us, we spend it on imports. We like to show off our imported clothes, cars, gadgets, etc. Whether one is an industrialist, politician or a professional, they all look to imports and exports of their children. Who will be left to implement any so-called industrial policy.
Our culture has to change. We have to be proud of what we produce like the Chinese. Wherever they are, they still buy Chinese goods and send profits back home instead of spending money in their adopted countries. That is a real industrial policy.
It is said the greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising each time we fall.
In God I Trust!
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