Online Reporter
THE National Competitiveness Commission’s (NCC) Inaugural Competitiveness Summit 2025, being held from 19 to 20 February, kicked off yesterday.
The Summit is being held under the theme, “Building Sustainability Towards Enhanced Productivity and Competitiveness in Zimbabwe”.
Policymakers, the public and private sector, academia, non-state actors and international experts from India and Mauritius graced this historic occasion that also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Institute for Competitiveness India and NCC to collaborate and undertake exchange programmes on competitiveness.
Regulatory burden and concomitant costs were topical as being an albatross on local businesses, as these account for about 18 percent of total overhead costs. This has dis-incentivized the informal sector to graduate into formal sector.
Cabinet ministers present acknowledged this challenge and hinted that Government is already seized with the matter, hence the need for an in-depth analysis, with a view to streamline some regulations and reduce the cost of doing business for enhanced competitiveness.
Market regulation has led to exchange rate misalignment, and has also created opportunities for arbitrage and rent-seeking, thereby deleteriously affecting national productivity and competitiveness.
Local procurement frameworks that promote Buy Zimbabwe, can transform Zimbabwe into a competitive economy, and the Government should be exemplary in that respect.
Power and energy and transport infrastructure were also cited as key competitiveness enablers, hence policy makers were implored upon to improve these for productivity and create resilient economies.
Zimbabwe being agro-based, accelerating implementation of climate smart agriculture is also fundamental in enhancing the country’s competitiveness.
From an international perspective, Exclusive Economic Zones have been instrumental in transforming Mauritius into a competitive country. Whereas the Government has designated some areas in Zimbabwe as Special Economic Zones (SEZ), there is need to remodel the SEZ framework, and ensure that the Central Government provides basic infrastructure and services rather than leave this to already crippled local authorities and businesses to invest in these areas.
Productivity and competitiveness is not an ending game, but a marathon without a finishing line. The Summit is closing today, and the Guest of Honour, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E.D Mnangagwa, is expected to deliver a keynote address touching on productivity and competitiveness issues in the country.
mbulelo smpofu
