adminNgoni Dapira
THERE is need to ensure sustainability in all economic policies as the country pushes for value addition and beneficiation under the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation blueprint, a Government official has said. Speaking during the Manicaland fund-raising for the Zanu-PF 6th National People’s Congress last Friday in Mutare, acting Manicaland Zanu-PF chairman and deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Cde Samuel Undenge said Zimbabwe was a step ahead because all its policies under Zim-Asset were coined on sustainability.
The Zanu-PF 6th National People’s Congress, which will be held in Harare, starts next week Tuesday and will run until Sunday.
“Zanu-PF is coming up with sustainable goals that should unlock economic and social development in the shortest period of time.
“Zimbabwe is well ahead of many countries because our policies are coined on sustainability.
“Our economic policies are premised on the term ‘sustainable’ which means we are thinking of future generations.
“For everything we do in the world nowadays, the common denominator is now sustainability.
“When we talk environment or business, it must be sustainable,” said Cde Undenge.
Running under the theme: “Accelerating implementation of ZimAsset”, Cde Undenge said it was his desire to see Manicaland turned into an industrial hub under the value addition and beneficiation drive, considering how it is already endowed with vast natural resources.
“We have vast natural resources from our minerals, rich in diamonds and gold to timber in Nyanga. All these should be able to turn Manicaland into an industrial hub in the value addition and beneficiation drive,” said Cde Undenge. The Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Chris Mushohwe, challenged the corporate sector to rally behind Government’s programmes.
“There is need for business operators to appreciate the peaceful economic environment that has been brought about by Zanu-PF,” Cde Mushohwe said.
Every province was expected to raise $150 000 towards the successful hosting of the people’s congress, of which Cde Undenge reported Manicaland managed to surpass the $150 000 target.
Early this year, Government approved the re-establishment of special economic zones to create a vibrant, self-sustaining and robust manufacturing industry with capacity to produce goods and services for both the domestic and export markets.
Manicaland business lobby groups have already expressed great enthusiasm about the SEZs which are bound to breathe life into the manufacturing sector currently ailing.
In September China, the world’s number two economy, guaranteed to help Zimbabwe build SEZS and to jump-start exports sector.
In addition, Zim-Asset seeks to restore the manufacturing sector’s previous significant contribution to GDP to improve production and export of goods, a thrust anchored in SEZs.
Government said investors in the zones will benefit from special tax breaks among several other incentives.
Online Reporter