‘Vibrant retail, wholesale sector critical’

Judith Phiri , Business Reporter

A vibrant retail and wholesale sector plays is vital as the country continues to develop economically and strives to provide essential goods and services to all consumers in line with the objective of achieving a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society by 2030, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Dr Sithembiso Nyoni said the sector was expected to expand, create more jobs and significantly contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Since the advent of the Second Republic, developments in the retail and wholesale sector have visibly taken place across the whole country in line with the ‘Open for Business’ mantra espoused by President Mnangagwa and policies such as the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

“These developments are manifested in robust physical structures of shopping malls which have become increasingly popular in major areas in Bulawayo, Gweru, Marondera and Harare,” she said.

“The new malls are occupied by retail giants mainly from neighbouring South Africa, such as Spar Supermarket and Pick n Pay, among others. These foreign direct investors have greatly altered the landscape of the retail sector and also accentuated the level of competition in the industry by providing quality and a wide variety of foodstuffs, groceries, furniture, building, and construction materials.”

The Minister said on quality issues, her Ministry successfully launched the enhanced Consignment Based Conformity Assessment (CBCA) programme on 1 June 2022.

She said the programme was now operating with four CBCA service providers namely Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), Bureau Veritas, Cotecna SA and EAA Company.

On standards issues, Minister Nyoni added: “My Ministry is diligently implementing the provisions of the National Quality Policy. The Ministry now has a draft Standards Act which will guide the development of standards in the voluntary domain for the protection of human health, trade and the environment.”

While, in terms of trade facilitation, she said the Government was committed to establishing One Stop Border Posts at all of the country’s ports of entry and exit to facilitate the ease of movement of people and goods.

The Minister said her Ministry was there to serve and their doors were always open for discussions with captains of industry, businesses and all stakeholders.

“We are now represented in all the provinces in line with the country’s devolution agenda. Hence, we can serve you better and timeously. I, therefore, implore you all to approach our provincial offices anytime and any day as they are there to assist you in every aspect. This would go a long way in bringing development in your respective areas of operations,” she told captains of industry in Bulawayo on Thursday.

“While we will surely have different views on many issues at any given time, I believe we share a common vision of a country in which businesses and individuals have the resources, infrastructure and incentives they need to prosper through hard work, fair competition and bold ideas.”

Dr Nyoni’s deputy, Roy Bhila said the private sector was the engine for growth that was why, under the Second Republic, the thrust was to pursue a private-sector-led approach.

“As we seek to re-industrialise Bulawayo, let me call upon all the economic players, including teh Government, private sector, local communities and development organisations to work incessantly, towards creating conducive environment for investments, job creation and social progress. Let us optimise and capitalise on the province’s location as it lies along the North South corridor, to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic diversification,” he said.