Zim should come out of the cocoon

is the fourth largest chrome producer, offers one of the most sought-after tobacco blends, houses one of the world’s seven wonders and has a very high literacy level.
This sounds like curriculum vitae of a world- class economy but sadly these attributes have not worked to improve the economy and there is not much to show for it on the ground.
Zimbabwe has faced immense economic challenges, particularly over the last decade. How that is possible with so much on the table remains a wonder that requires intensive and extensive research.
Is it because we are a primary goods exporter, is it because we have obsolete equipment, is it about improper planning? Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Mr Joseph Kanyekanye put it well when he said:
“It’s unthinkable, if not immoral, that with all we have there is still high unemployment in this country.”
The Government, the academia, civil society, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders can come up with one explanation or the other over the state of affairs and we could spend acres of space, publish second editions of this paper daily to explain the situation but what emerged from an Industrial Development Policy consultative meeting hosted by CZI in Harare yesterday was that it is about time the real Zimbabwe came out of the cocoon.
Both friend and foe agree that Zimbabwe has been blessed with so many natural resources that generations upon generations can benefit from.
What is required is a proper way of exploiting the resources, with tangible results showing in terms of wealth creation and advancing the economy. It is in this regard that we welcome the imminent launch of the 2011-2015 Industrial Development Policy. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce is in its final consultative process on the draft policy before it is presented to Cabinet.
Indeed, Zimbabwe desperately needs such a policy to guide industrial development in tandem with the changing global trends.
Such a policy, going by the draft document, has the potential to transform the economy in a big way, particularly the manufacturing sector, if implemented in the appropriate manner.
The Industrial Development Policy should be able to lead this country to the ideal situation where the country will export value-added products, using state-of-the-art and obviously more efficient ways of doing business. The policy should lead to an ideal situation where 80 percent of products in shops are local, with imports accounting for the balance, instead of the current situation where 70 percent of goods in shops are imports while 30 percent are sourced locally. This scenario has effectively meant that Zimbabwe has been exporting jobs while at the same time propping up economies such as South Africa, from where the bulk of the imports originate.
This scenario is choking local industry or is it a chicken and egg situation where failure by local industry to supply has forced traders to look elsewhere for supplies? Whatever the case is, it is an anomaly that the new industrial policy should address.
I noticed yesterday Industrial Development Corporation chief executive Mr Mike Ndudzo spoke passionately about Willowvale Mazda Motor Industries’ potential to become a giant once again, if it gets the requisite support and attention.
What emerged yesterday was that for the policy to work, wider consultations would need to be tacked to ensure all aspects were included and the final document would represent the best policy that the country could have come up with.
Industrialist Mr Luxon Zembe challenged the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to ensure it gets input from all stakeholders including industry gurus, students, civil society to ensure a rich output. What emerged yesterday is that the new industrial policy has the potential to transform the economy and set in the proper systems that will ensure increased production levels and higher productivity.
The mood at the consultative breakfast was a reflection of the fact that Zimbabweans now want to see tangible results of a growing economy.
Figures of an 8,1 percent growth last year and the anticipated 9,3 percent growth will need to be felt and translated into an improved standard of living, increased export of value added products such as the sale of polished instead of rough diamonds.
We urge the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to carry along contributions from industry so that at the end of the day the document will work well for the country.
One area of contention which needs attention is the identification of agro-processing, fertiliser industries, pharmaceuticals and metals and electricals as the prioritised sectors.
This does not seem to be in sync with other policies that have identified such sectors as mining, tourism, agriculture as the major economic driver.
The anomaly was noted but could be explained by the fact that the proposed industrial policy is largely tilted in favour of the manufacturing sector sector. These are issues that need to be articulated in the crafting of the final document.
Furthermore, the policy should be dovetailed into existing policies such as the soon-to-be-launched Medium Term Plan, the Budget and the monetary policy statement to avoid discord.
Zimbabwe is certainly on the right track and the draft policy is a great start that will need some fine-tuning before Cabinet approves it.
Time is of essence though. We do not advocate for a rushed document, but at the same time the project promoters should be cognisant of the need to have the industrial policy in place so that the economy moves in the right direction.
Certainly, the economy will change its complexion for the better once this policy is in operation. Every Zimbabwean in Muzarabani, Dotito or Chipinge should begin to feel what it means for Zimbabwe to have the second largest platinum reserves while the cotton farmer in Karoi should be able to enjoy the fruits of producing the best cotton in the world.
All stakeholders should rally behind the proposed industrial policy and ensure it is implemented in the best possible manner to enure the manifestation of the giant that Zimbabwe is supposed to be.
In God I Trust!
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