The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
MANICALAND has contributed immensely towards the growth of the country’s industry capacity utilisation from 47 percent in 2021 to 56.5 this year, Industry and Commerce Minister, Dr Sekesai Nzenza has said.
In a speech read on her behalf at the official opening of the Manicaland Agricultural Show by Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokhuthula Matsikenyere, Minister Nzenza said under the Devolution and Rural Industrialisation Policy, provincial economies are expected to make a huge contribution in attaining the national economic development targets.
Dr Nzenza said Manicaland has been on track in contributing towards national economic growth.
“Provinces and districts are now regarded as economic hubs or economic zones with their own Gross Domestic Products (GDP). The focus is now on the promotion of the local beneficiation of their vast natural resources with a view to contributing towards Government’s aspirations.
“The province is endowed with both rich soils and a good climate suitable for horticultural production which feeds into the agro-processing industry value chain. It is, therefore, important to explore opportunities within priority value chains in Manicaland in order to unlock the industrialisation potential of our economy. There is a lot of potential in the beautiful province of Manicaland,” said Dr Nzenza.
She also said Manicaland should take advantage of its geographical location to drive export led industrialisation.
Dr Nzenza said Manicaland provides the shortest and most economic route from Zimbabwe to other inland Southern African countries, thereby getting a viable opportunity for industry to focus on markets in the eastern part of the world, including China and India.
“The province has great potential for driving export-led industrialisation in the area of timber processing and value addition, board and paper production, various agro-processing activities, including tea manufacturing, fruit and vegetable canning, motor vehicle assembling, lithium battery manufacturing, renewable energy and commercial service industry, among other opportunities,” she said.
Dr Nzenza further implored the Manicaland leadership to work together with the private sector and be innovative, productive, and develop products that respond to the dynamic needs of the global market.
“I also implore the local industry to start moving towards the fourth industrial revolutionary as the economy navigates towards attaining an upper middle income economy by 2030 as pronounced by President Mnangagwa.
“Exhibitions are therefore very important to the local industry and commercial actors as they provide a wide platform for businesses and organisations to showcase their products while connecting industry with potential clients.
“Young people are also given the platform to showcase new innovations. We need to learn relevant and competitive things to remain relevant in today’s new and dynamic business environment.
“As expected, industry is also contributing immensely to the economy through providing formal employment, as well as foreign exchange earnings through export and import substitution,” she said.
Minister Nzenza said the National Development Strategy (NDS1) (2021-2025) focuses on value addition and structural transformation to facilitate technologically advanced, competitive and diversified industrial development in order to transform Zimbabwe into a prosperous and empowered upper middle income economy by 2030.
