admin
Online Reporter
Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu, speaking to Zimpapers Business Hub at the ZITF exhibition park, said exhibitors were ready to showcase a broad range of products that reflect the country’s industrial potential.
He stressed that the theme reflects Zimbabwe’s economic priorities.
“We can only achieve economic growth when we focus more on industrialisation,” said Minister Ndlovu.
“President Mnangagwa has called for us to develop our country, and it’s through industrialisation that we can create meaningful jobs and achieve economic growth.
“That’s why we have dedicated this edition to industrialisation.”
He added that 2025 marks a pivotal moment, being the final year of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Minister Ndlovu said the outcomes of this year’s fair will help lay the foundation for NDS2, which will be firmly anchored in accelerating industrial growth.
“It will help us to take stock of what has happened and also give us a firm foundation as we build NDS2,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s industrialisation drive, guided by the Government’s Vision 2030 and NDS framework, seeks to rebuild the country’s productive capacity, modernise factories, encourage innovation and support local manufacturing for both domestic use and export.
The Minister also praised the private sector’s growing engagement at ZITF, a vital ingredient in Zimbabwe’s industrial ambitions.
“I am happy that the private sector has taken heed of this,” he said.
“In the early 2000s, sanctions reduced participation, and the Government came in to fill the gap. But the President has said we cannot complain about sanctions forever; let us work.
“We want the private sector to tell the story of our economic development. We agreed last year that the 2025 edition should be more private sector-driven, and we are happy with the progress.”
This year, 28 countries are exhibiting, a strong signal of confidence in Zimbabwe’s economic prospects.
Minister Ndlovu attributed the increase to intensified economic diplomacy and proactive global marketing by the ZITF Company.
Online Reporter