Story by Stanley James, BusinessEditor
ZIMBABWE has set sights on increased exports and investment inflows in the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2) with a view to consolidating gains from the past years.
As Zimbabwe gears towards launching the NDS2, quasi-government economic institutions have prepared roadmaps to increase socio-economic development.
With NDS1 having set the pace for annual export earnings at over US$7 billion, expectations are high that the next blueprint will further maximise receipts.
“You can see that our statistics are showing an upward trajectory in exports. This is a result of the NDS1 aspirations whereby for the past five years focus has been on regaining all the external markets. For instance, the horticulture sector has performed extremely well and this has further laid the roadmap for increased export receipts.
“Going forward, value addition of the exports will unlock more earnings and enable the country to achieve the set goals. The mission is on how Zimbabwe can consolidate the current gains and forge ahead with strategies that promote overall economic growth in the next five years,” ZimTrade client manager, Mr Kupakwashe Midzi said.
With the rate of licenced investors also improving, authorities are also predicting growth, riding on measures to boost inflows in the NDS2 roadmap.
“The project inquiries have been on an improved note, especially in the mining and energy sectors. It is through that trend whereby we are now focusing on further easing all challenges faced by the investors while ensuring that approved projects are implemented, a move that is in line with the aspirations of the NDS 2 roadmap.
Going forward, we shall continue to work with all the relevant agencies in formulating or crafting policies that will have a positive bearing in unlocking the value of projects while ensuring that the level of investment is decentralised in all parts of the country with the main goal being to accelerate development,” explained ZIDA chief investment promotion officer, Engineer Silibaziso Chizwina.
The National Development Strategy Two is expected to fulfil Zimbabwe’s vision of an upper-middle-income society by 2030.
