Story by Mhlomuli Ncube, Assistant News Editor
BULAWAYO’s manufacturing sector is recording renewed growth as Government policy support and industrial incentives begin to lift production capacity, safeguard local manufacturers and stimulate job creation.
Industry and Commerce Minister, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu, toured key industrial firms in Bulawayo on Monday to assess production levels and engage industry players on measures aimed at strengthening value chains and improving capacity utilisation.
The visit comes as Bulawayo intensifies efforts to retain its long-standing status as Zimbabwe’s industrial hub, supported by targeted interventions to revive manufacturing activity.
One of the companies visited was Pump and Steel Supplies, an engineering and mining products manufacturer operating in the Belmont, Donnington and Thorngrove industrial areas. The firm currently employs more than 350 workers and sources most of its raw materials locally.
Honourable Ndlovu said the company reflects the importance of building and protecting domestic value chains to sustain industrial growth.
“What we are seeing here is a very important value chain. The products are sourced locally from companies in Zimbabwe. We believe that this gives us an opportunity to open policy dialogue on how we may continue to incentivise local companies like these and also protect them from the import of products or raw materials which are locally abundant,” he said.
Pump and Steel Supplies Human Resources Manager, Mr Earnest Jackson, said the company’s growth demonstrates resilience within local industry and commitment to national development.
“We are a story of resilience and a firm belief that we must be involved in our country’s economic growth, as enunciated by our President. We also want to create employment here and to contribute to socio-economic development and prosperity of our nation,” he said.
Government says strengthening domestic manufacturing is key to job creation, import substitution and industrial recovery, with Bulawayo positioned to play a leading role in driving national economic transformation.
The renewed momentum in local production aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 agenda of attaining an upper middle-income economy through industrialisation and value addition.
