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THERE is an urgent need to restore order and organised commerce to promote stability in the marketplace as speculative malpractices pose a significant threat to the viability of the local manufacturing sector, a Cabinet minister has said.
Speaking at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce Annual Strategic Planning Review Workshop in Mutare yesterday, Minister Nqobizitha Ndlovu said businesses must operate through established laws and industry standards as malpractices negatively impact employment and job creation.
He said the 2025 strategic focus must include enhancing value chains, combating business malpractices and promoting consumer welfare and public-private partnerships, among others.
“Businesses must operate by established laws and industry standards. Business malpractices pose a serious threat to the viability of our local manufacturing sector and also negatively impact employment and job creation,” Ndlovu said.
“We should prioritise the restoration of order and organised commerce, to promote sanity and stability in the marketplace,” he added.
The objectives of the workshop are to evaluate the progress made in implementing the Reviewed 2024 Strategic Plan and assess the achievements against the set targets, identify challenges and obstacles encountered during the implementation phase and propose solutions to address them effectively.
It also seeks to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share their expertise, insights and recommendations for improving industry and commerce in Zimbabwe and to review the 2021-2025 Strategic Plan and come up with a Reviewed 2025 Strategic Plan.
On policy interventions, Minister Ndlovu noted the need to implement effective policy interventions that support industries.
“This includes streamlining regulations and facilitating access to resources for businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises. We remain resolutely committed, another key focus is on prioritising the development and strengthening of existing value chains in agriculture and mining,” he said.
“This will involve creating policies that promote innovation, investment and collaboration among stakeholders.”
Minister Ndlovu stressed that emphasis should also be put on new value chains such as lithium, as well as investing in human capital development while Government will initiate programmes aimed at enhancing skills and knowledge in the workforce.
The minister said going forward, sustainability and resilience will be critical in pursuing growth.
“Our initiatives will aim to create resilient green industries that can thrive in the face of global challenges, including Climate Change,” he said. “Strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors will be crucial. Together, we can drive innovation, improve infrastructure and enhance service delivery.
“Government can never deliver GDP growth. That is the private sector’s responsibility and the Government remains committed to providing the requisite conducive environment for business to thrive.”
Turning to the country’s SADC leadership role, Minister Ndlovu said the successful hosting of the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government presents a unique opportunity to leverage this position to advance the strategic goals.
Zimbabwe assumed the SADC chairmanship in August.
“In this context, we must make significant strides in supporting our industries through effective policy interventions. To make an impact, we must embrace challenges as opportunities for growth,” Ndlovu said.
“I am delighted to report that we have made notable progress.”
Secretary for Industry and Commerce, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, said the ministry is on course to meet the set targets by the end of the 2024 budget year.
“The achievement of these targets must be mirrored in our industrial and commercial sectors. Let it be seen in Workington, Ardbennie, Southerton, Nyakamete, Paulington, Murahwa, Belmont, Kelvin, Donnington and Imvumila, among other industrial areas,” he said.
He stressed that it is important to ensure that the strategic plan continues to speak to current needs and expectations of stakeholders, including the general public.
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