Story by Yolanda Moyo
In a bid to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by local industries, the ZANU PF’s economic development and empowerment cluster embarked on a tour of various industries in Bulawayo as it fosters better collaboration with industry leaders.
The visit was driven by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s thrust of building a robust and thriving industrial sector in Zimbabwe.
The ZANU PF economic and empowerment development cluster visiting the National Railways of Zimbabwe, General Belting and Ref Air.
Industry representatives expressed their appreciation for the tour, saying it provides an invaluable opportunity for the party to witness the strides made by local industries.
“As General Belting, we have invested in improving our efficiency thereby cutting costs and enhancing our competitiveness.
“However, we are facing a challenging influx of cheap imports in the market that are coming in to compete with our products in a case where we are facing high cost of production looking at energy.
“We are currently operating at 30 percent and with such a visit we are confident that this engagement will pave the way for a more robust and sustainable industrial sector,” General Belting managing director, Mr Joseph Gunda said.
“Over the past four years, we’ve been bringing in and upgrading and mechanizing the line the bending the splitting machines,” REF AIR general manager, Ms Karen Mirtle stated.
“Once that side of it has increased we can do 18 times 20 times faster than what we used to. We supply right across Africa and we’ve done work in Zambia… We’ve done work in Uganda, Mozambique Malawi.
“With the African free trade opening South Africa is our only competitor. We can’t compete because we can’t produce at their rate. There is a need to improve on foreign currency availability in the market so that as an industry we need that to procure machinery.”
The leader of the economic cluster, Cde Elifasi Mashava emphasised the significance of the tour in the context of the government’s broader economic development agenda.
“The ruling party, ZANU PF, which I represent at this forum, has deemed it necessary to embark on this crucial tour to assess the prevailing conditions of our industries. This tour will provide us with an objective view of the performance of industries here in Bulawayo,” Cde Mashava said.
“I want to emphasise that as we undertake this tour, the party is aware of the government’s intention to retool Bulawayo’s industries as part of strategic initiatives aimed at supporting the country’s Vision 2030. This support will significantly contribute to reviving industries, creating jobs, advancing technological development, and attracting foreign investment.
“All these efforts are vital initiatives that will lay a strong foundation for achieving an upper-middle-income economy. The party, the government, and all progressive stakeholders will closely monitor the city’s industries and business enterprises, as their viability will result in a prosperous nation.”
The tour is a testament to the ruling party’s commitment to industrialization, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and improving the living standards of all Zimbabweans in line with Vision 2030.
