Staff Reporter

…As New Dispensations takes steps to revive it

Government efforts to revive the country’s industrial hub in Bulawayo is bearing fruit as most industries in Bulawayo continue to record progress.  This has been due to the New Dispensation`s drive for Vision 2030 which calls for the development of industrial hubs.

Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi and his delegation were on a four day tour of Bulawayo industries recently, to assess progress, which proved positive through improved capacity utilisation and exports by several local companies, despite the Covid19 challenges.

Speaking during his tour of Zimplow Holdings, Deputy Minister Modi said, “Government wants to resuscitate industries here and that’s why it is very important to visit companies and talk to them personally to find out what challenges they face and what the Government can do to assist them.”

Furthermore, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of industry and Commerce Dr  Mavis Sibanda who had accompanied Minister Modi on the tour, commended the strides of progress exhibited by the Bulawayo industries.

“The industry is flourishing, the attitude is good, the morale is high and the companies are raring to go and the Ministry is here to give full support.

“It is the President’s intention that we bring Bulawayo back to its industrial hub status and His Excellency has tasked us to work hard with the industries, hear their problems and support them,” she said.

Meanwhile, the thrust for Vision 2030 with regards to development of industrial hubs is informed by the diversity of the various Provinces’ resource endowments and their comparative advantages.  This has informed the development of fiscal and other incentives being offered through established Special Economic Zones across the Provinces, Bulawayo focus is on heavy industry, leather, footwear, textiles and engineering.