Online Reporter
Judith Phiri and Media Mpofu, Sunday News Reporters
THE ruling Party, Zanu PF has reaffirmed commitment to revitalising of Bulawayo’s industrial sector, with its senior Economic Development and Empowerment Cluster members on a two-day familiarisation tour of companies in the city.
The move is part of the many resolutions made at the 21st Annual National People’s Conference held in Bulawayo in October last year.
Among them the Party directed Government to accelerate the revival of National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) to enable efficient and cost-effective movement of cargo in order to promote trade and prolong the lifespan of the rehabilitated roads.
On Thursday, the Cluster toured Bulawayo companies that include General Beltings, Ref-Air and NRZ to assess the prevailing conditions and performance.
The team was led by the party’s Secretary for Business Development Cde Elifasi Mashaba and comprised of National Deputy Secretary for Economic Affairs and a member of the Politburo Cde Endy Mhlanga, Director of Economic Affairs, Cde Annastancia Ndlovu, Director for Economic Development and Empowerment under Cde Sithembiso Nyoni’s Department Cde Francis Hungwe, Director for Business Development Cde Collen Mharadzano.
In an interview after the tour, Cde Mashaba said: “The party is acutely aware that an ailing industry in Bulawayo will not bode well for the projected upper-middle-income economy. A robust and thriving industrial sector in Bulawayo will undoubtedly position the country toward realising a modern and prosperous future.”
He said they have seen the Government partnering with the private sector to establish several incubation hubs and innovation centres, which will support startups and entrepreneurs in the technology, engineering, and manufacturing sectors.
Cde Mashaba said the party was committed to revitalising of Bulawayo’s industrial sector, while the tour aligned with Vision 2030, as defined by President Mnangagwa.
“It also reflects the resolutions of our 21st National People’s Conference, where delegates urged the Government to initiate the revival of industries throughout the country, including Bulawayo. This initiative is also consistent with the expectations of the devolution agenda, which calls for special attention to our industries,” he added.
He said they were pleased to note that that some of the companies were operating at 40 to 60 percent, but with support they were on a good trajectory to revival.
Cde Mashaba said they were going to engage the line Ministries on best can they assist the companies.
Cde Mhlanga said the advent of the Second Republic ushered in a new vision for Zimbabwe to become a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society/economy earlier than 2030.
“As such, the Zanu PF Government has religiously adopted the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) 2021-2025), a development plan that embraces political, economic, and social spheres towards sustainable development, “leaving no one and no place behind.”
He said the macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth thematic committee will discuss economic development activities in the year 2024 in line with President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030.
Bulawayo companies highlighted that they were in need of Government support as most of the products they were manufacturing were being smuggled into the country, while foreign currency availability was also critical for them to retool and acquire key raw materials that are imported.
