The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
GOVERNMENT will continue to come up with various initiatives and interventions to promote the ease of doing business, while enabling the private sector to thrive, says Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza.
Minister Mugadza said this at the launch of the 2024 OK Grand Challenge in Mutare on Wednesday.
He said the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra is in full throttle in Manicaland, and called upon retailers like OK Zimbabwe to prioritise procuring goods and services from local suppliers.
“Government, ably led by President Mnangagwa and the business community share a strong synergetic relationship that should be upheld at all times. There are various opportunities being created by Government to enable more businesses to flourish.
“I call upon investors to come to Manicaland as we have various opportunities, not just in the retail sector, but also in the energy, tourism and infrastructural development just to mention a few. OK Zimbabwe offers exceptional services in the province despite the hyper-inflationary environment. The business community in Manicaland collaborates with OK Zimbabwe and the partnerships must continue to grow.
“OK Zimbabwe should continue to support local suppliers in the various sectors of the economy such as farmers and small-to-medium-enterprises. The province is rich in agricultural produce and I continue to urge local shops to promote these products,” he said.
OK Zimbabwe Manicaland business executive, Mr Malvern Nevanji said this year’s promotion is bigger and better.
He said their wholesale division, OK Mart has been added in the competition to cater for clients such as institutions, schools and traders.
“This year’s promotion is unique in that OK Mart has been roped in to cater for bulky buyers. Manicaland has been doing extremely well in the promotion as evidenced by the number of cars that have been won in the province in previous competitions. We boast of a serial winner in Rusape, Mr (Clemence) Muhle and we also have three clients who won cars in Mutare.
“Manicaland cluster comprises of stores in Marondera, Rusape, Chivhu, Mutare, OK Mart Mutare, Chipinge, Chiredzi and Triangle. The OK Grand Challenge has been running for decades because of a special relationship with its suppliers and customers. This year a customer has to buy goods worth US$10 in the supermarket, while at OK Mart one has to buy goods worth US$100 to qualify,” he said.
