Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve [email protected]
PROCUREMENT practitioners have converged in Victoria Falls for the fifth Annual Public Procurement Conference.
The two-day conference is being held under the theme: “Public Procurement as a Strategic Catalyst: Driving Inclusion and Sustainable Economic Transformation.”
It seeks to reposition procurement as a key driver of national development.
The conference is expected to align public procurement with Vision 2030 and national development strategies, promote inclusive procurement, and strengthen integrity, ethics and anti-corruption measures.
Delegates will discuss enterprise risk management, strategic partnerships, artificial intelligence, intellectual property rights and the future of the procurement function.
Lessons will be drawn from Eswatini on sustainable procurement and South Africa on SME support.
The conference is further important because public procurement accounts for significant public spending and can empower local businesses, especially SMEs, women and youth, while ensuring value for money.
The official opening and keynote address will be delivered by Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small to Medium Enterprises Development, Monica Mutsvangwa.
Other speakers include PRAZ CEO Dr Clever Ruswa, PRAZ Board Chair Brig Gen (Rtd) Gora, and representatives from Botswana, ZACC, the University of Zimbabwe and Buy Zimbabwe.
Expected outcomes include concrete resolutions, a clear way forward, stronger partnerships and practical strategies for ethical, inclusive and sustainable procurement.
