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Sikhulekelani Moyo, Business Reporter
THE business community in Zimbabwe yesterday joined the rest of the country in commemorating the 35th anniversary of the signing of the 1987 Unity saying the prevailing peace, unity, and political stability were a huge incentive for economic growth.
In separate interviews and public statements, businesspersons, private companies, State-owned enterprises, local authorities, and ministries, expressed their appreciation of the positive gains of unity in their operations and urged all citizens to uphold peace.
The late Vice-President, Joshua Nkomo, then leader of the PF-Zapu and the late former President Robert Mugabe, representing Zanu, signed the historic unity agreement, which brought to an end bitter civil strife that ensued soon after independence in 1980.
Since then, Zimbabwe has enjoyed sustainable peace and stability, which has created a favourable environment for growing local and foreign investments, business leaders say.
Renowned Bulawayo businessman, Mr Mohamed Esat, said peace and unity were the forerunners of any business success.
“Peace makes people think positively and in order to have peace we need unity. In unity there is friendship and as friends, we move forward,” he said.
Mr Esat said every individual Zimbabwean should have a sense of peace and revealed that such consciousness has helped him and his family business to survive even during hard times.
He applauded the late Dr Nkomo for being a champion of peace and for his passion for empowering locals to become economic transformation agents in Zimbabwe.
Youthful businessman and the owner of Ngamla Professionals, Mr Mpumelelo Phiri said before investing in any business, investors check if the environment is peaceful enough to promote the growth of their business and if there is prosperity and financial security.
“It’s difficult now for someone to go and invest in countries where there is war and continuous misunderstandings. But for our country, one can invest as the environment is conducive because there is peace and a low crime rate,” said Mr Phiri.
“The advice I would like to give to people is, ‘come to the ground and satisfy yourself’. Many people are scared to invest in Zimbabwe because they believe what they hear from other people, but what I can say is ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ and that has been tested and proved.”
Mr Phiri said due to the peaceful climate in the country, he is considering closing his investments in South Africa so that he can expand his business in Zimbabwe.
Commenting on the same issue, a local businessman who is also Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial Secretary for Administration Mr Raymond Mutomba said if the country is politically stable, that on its own can attract investors.
“One of the factors that promote investment is peace and stability. Because of peace among ourselves, we try to reason wisely using values to preserve infrastructure unlike in other countries where they destroy buildings and infrastructure when there are misunderstandings,” he said.
“If there was no peace and political stability in this country, even investments like the one in Manhize would not be here.
“The US$1 billion Manhize Iron and Steel Plant is a new investment being set up in Mvuma by China’s Dinson Iron and Steel Company and is expected to be a game changer in the iron and steel industry following the closure of the giant Zimbabwe Iron and Steel company (Zisco).”
Mr Mutomba urged Zimbabweans, especially the youths to continue cherishing the Unity Accord as it has created an environment of peace and development.
In a recent interview, Pakistanian-owned Flynote Investment Private Limited managing director, Mr Hafiz Naeem, which has business interests in Bulawayo, said prevailing peace in Zimbabwe is an added advantage as businesses thrive in areas where there is no strife.
The Zimbabwe Free Range Poultry Association said peace and unity have enabled small to medium-scale farmers across the country to unite toward the commercialisation of free-range poultry production.
“This is leading to sustainable incomes, increased food, and nutrition security and employment creation at household level thereby resonating with the Government mantra of “leaving no one and no place behind,” said the association in a statement.
“This is in fulfilment of our prized national vision of becoming an upper middle-income country by the year 20230.”
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) said the 1987 Unity Accord serves as an important reminder that “unity is a key ingredient” to social cohesion and a catalyst to economic development whose role cannot be overemphasised.
Hwange Colliery Company Limited and National Railways of Zimbabwe, among other companies, also expressed their appreciation for the gains of unity, peace and tolerance among Zimbabweans.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade also said “without peace and unity”, it is impossible to achieve national development.
Online Reporter