CommuTalk Reporter
GWERU: In an eye opening and discussive breakfast meeting held this week, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Midlands Chapter warned businesses over reluctance towards implementing and making use of the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan (ZIRG) plan towards growing their businesses.
Speaking during the interactive meeting, ZNCC Vice President-Midlands Chapter, Lamulani Sithole said the ZIRGP is ‘…more than just another policy document gathering dust on a shelf.’
“It’s a strategic plan designed to breathe life into our industrial sector, with a strong focus on retooling, value addition, and innovation. Simply put, we’re looking at a future where our industries aren’t just surviving, but thriving,” Sithole said.
“That means more jobs, more production, and, dare I say it, fewer imports eating up our foreign currency reserves! A robust industrial sector is the backbone of any strong economy, and Zimbabwe is no exception,” he added.
The ZIRGP focuses on growth opportunities in the industrial and commercial sectors, aimed at reducing the import bill and facilitating local production.
The blueprint document states that despite the local manufacturing sector’s potential, the country continues to spend significant foreign currency on imports.
Tyres, motor vehicles, fertilizers, pharmaceutical products, articles of iron and steel and cement were listed as some of the most imported products with businesses spending close to USD10bil per year on import costs.
Sithole said the ZIRGP is a golden opportunity for businesses in the Midlands to grow.
“The ZIRGP seeks to address some of the longstanding challenges in our industrial sector, such as outdated machinery, inadequate financing options, and limited access to affordable and reliable energy.
“For businesses in Midlands Province, this is a golden opportunity. The government is emphasizing investment in manufacturing and infrastructure, which should make it easier for companies to scale up their operations and enhance productivity… The potential of SMEs cannot be overstated,” he further said.
Meanwhile, the ZIRGP is a transitional plan to be implemented until December 2025. Thereafter, the ZNIDP 2 will be developed and will be aligned to the National Development Strategy (NDS) 2.
The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) in collaboration with CZI and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce coordinated the meeting.
