Story by Tamuka Charakupa
THE government says it will continue improving the business environment as a means of promoting local industrialisation under the mantra: ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.’
Government officials from Mashonaland West Province this Tuesday toured Grindale Engineering, a local company in Mt Hampden, which is into engineering, civil construction, irrigation and production of industrial supplies.
Grindale Engineering managing director, Engineer Grison Muwidzi, said they have embraced the country’s inclusive development agenda.
“We formed this company around the early 2000s responding to the market needs of the day. We have managed to survive in a volatile environment to this day, where we have grown our company. My call to my fellow Zimbabweans is that we should be creative, and create our own business,” Managing Director,” said.
The Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo reiterated the government’s commitment towards fostering a conducive business environment.
“For Grindale to succeed in its industrialisation drive, the government will facilitate the provision of a conducive business environment including but not limited to, simplifying the regulatory procedures and facilitating reduction of high utility costs (clean water and electricity) and compliance burdens, reducing bureaucratic hurdles especially in local authorities and municipalities, promoting transparency and accountability.
“Promoting industrial transformation through research and Innovation, promoting the use of smart manufacturing and digital industrialisation technologies, optimising value chain linkages with key sectors such as energy to alleviate power outages. Let us work together to build a more prosperous and industrialised Zimbabwe where every citizen has access to opportunities and resources,” Honourable Chombo said.
Key stakeholders from various ministries highlighted government efforts to boost industrial productivity.
“As the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, we are employing a number of initiatives that seek to promote electricity generation in the country. We have allowed the private sector to contribute to electricity generation through independent power production, and net zero initiatives among others,” Director Power Development in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Engineer Peace Rugoba said.
“We have a national deficit of close to 500 megawatts and all factors being equal the gap will be addressed by IPPs.”
“The establishment of the Manhize Iron and Steel plant is a game changer to our efforts as government in reviving the local industry. The works underway at this facility testify to the power of collaboration, local trade initiatives and import substitution. We should continue to utilise the whole of government approach towards responding to industrial needs to ensure we revive and contribute to the growth of the local industry,” Ministry of Industry and Commerce, official Ms Gamuchirai Mutetwa said.
Under its inclusive development agenda, the government seeks to boost both local and foreign investments, which are key towards the attainment of an upper middle-income society by 2030.
