Support Government initiatives: VP Mohadi

VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi has called on citizens to support Government initiatives designed to drive the country’s economic transformation agenda in line with Vision 2030 and stressed the importance of using social media responsibly, discouraging its use to spread negative sentiments about the country.

Addressing delegates at the Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking (Zist) stakeholder engagement conference in Victoria Falls on Tuesday evening, VP Mohadi said there is a need for national unity and constructive engagement to achieve economic goals.

He said the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, has an open-door policy that embraces constructive ideas.

“We are proud to have liberated Zimbabwe, but there are some who think they are better and accuse us of destroying the country. We have never stopped anyone from coming up with ideas, so don’t be afraid,” said VP Mohadi.

“Come and tell us where we are getting it wrong and we will also tell you where you are having it wrong. We are very much approachable, we have an open door policy, and those who have constructive ideas are welcome.”

VP Mohadi said contradictions should not be antagonistic, but constructive. “I see some of you on social media have taken the route of being antagonistic, that’s not the way to go. Let us stay focused on the roadmap to Vision 2030 to foster inclusive economic growth and resolutely address poverty,” he said.

“We want to transform Zimbabwe into an industrialising, knowledge-based, and technology-driven upper middle-income country that provides a high-quality life for all its citizens.”

VP Mohadi said for the country to achieve its Vision 2030 goals, there is a need for the implementation of the roadmap as guided by the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

He said the objectives of Vision 2030 align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, anchored on industrialisation and structural transformation of the African economies, and also recognises the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (2016-2030).

The meeting, which started on Monday and ended yesterday, ran under the theme, “Priming All Institutions towards the Delivery of Vision 2030.”

“The month of November 2017 marked a new chapter in the history of Zimbabwe, with the birth of the Second Republic under the astute leadership of President Mnangagwa.

“Under this new Dispensation, the Government has been working relentlessly and tirelessly towards building a new Zimbabwe, a country with a thriving and open economy, capable of creating opportunities for investors and generating the much-needed employment for our citizenry,” said VP Mohadi.

“In this regard, Government has firmed on the assertion that it will leave no one and no place behind in transforming Zimbabwe into a sustainable knowledge-driven, technology-based, climate-smart and resilient economy, in line with our national vision for an empowered and prosperous Upper Middle-Income Economy by 2030.”

The Vice-President said under the Second Republic, Government is prioritising rebuilding the country’s economy.
“We want to reclaim our place on the international platform, our focus would remain that of putting in place policies and measures designed to regain investor confidence and ensure a sustained growth path for our economy,” he said.

VP Mohadi said for the country to achieve Vision 2030, there is a need for effective implementation of short and medium-term NDS1 plans which serve as the roadmap to the attainment of an upper-middle-income economy.

“In this regard, the onus is upon all stakeholders, including Government, private sector, cooperating partners, and civil society to collaborate and work very closely together with a unity of purpose. Let’s forge partnerships and remove the ‘them-and-us syndrome’ as well as the retrogressive silo mentality,” he said.

“It is, therefore, pleasing that we are gathered here as stakeholders to precisely put our minds together and exchange ideas on pertinent issues with a bearing on the country’s economic development agenda.

“The onus is on all of us, as policymakers, heads of parastatals, local authorities, private sector players, and civil leaders, to pull in one direction in our endeavour towards the attainment of Vision 2030.”

VP Mohadi said Government will continue to provide the necessary guidance for the full realisation of Vision 2030.
“The focus is on purposefully advancing a comprehensive and structurally transformative agenda on all critical sectors of the economy, to unlock full economic potential,” he said.

“We want to create a competitive and friendly business environment where the private sector can thrive for it to deliver. Government is pursuing the Ease of Doing Business Reforms.”

VP Mohadi said the Second Republic has prioritised the engagement and re-engagement of the international community, as well as the creation of an open, efficient and effective business environment that fosters entrepreneurship and attracts higher flows of Foreign Direct Investment aimed at ensuring sustained value addition and export-led growth.

Similarly, the Second Republic has also prioritised local beneficiation and rural industrialisation as a very powerful strategy to deliver the structural transformation of the economy and derive economic value from huge natural resource endowments and create jobs.

VP Mohadi said rural industrialisation will help ensure that development is spread to all the corners of the country.
He called on Zimbabweans and businesses to embrace digital transformation and climate change as opportunities.

“Let us remain resolute in our commitment to fully embrace and harness the opportunities presented by climate change and the digital economy, to propel the nation towards the full realisation of the bold objectives set out in Vision 2030,” said VP Mohadi.

“This calls for engagement in the implementation of climate- smart farming practices such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry eco-tourism, among others, meant to generate revenue.” — @ncubeleon