By Dorcas Rumano
Presenting on the State of the Industry and Commercial sector breakfast meeting today in Harare, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu said emphasis was being put to improve the industrial sector by focusing on rural industrialization.
Under the pillar of Policy Interventions and Strategies, Minister Ndlovu said currently his Ministry was working with Provincial Structures to come up with Provincial Industrial Strategies in line with devolution agenda in 100 days. He said there was need for rural industrialization so as to deal with the issue of unemployment and issues to do with rural to urban migration.
Minister Ndlovu said the industrial development policy interventions and strategies would be export, investment and innovation led.
According to the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Mavis Sibanda, the Ministry's vision on industrialization of rural areas is to see one district in Zimbabwe having one industry.
On the industrialization policy, the industry Minister said his Ministry would consider the 4th industrial revolution where emphasis would be put on upgrading and retooling some industries in order for them to be technically advanced.
Under the Overview of the manufacturing sector, Minister Ndlovu said 2019 national budget projected the manufacturing sector to grow by 2.5% this year. However, he said projection was revised downwards by 1% due to challenges emanating from foreign currency shortages, Cyclone Idai aftermath and Elnino induced drought.
The Minister said the envisioned modest growth rate of 2% per annum was attainable if we all put our hands on the wheel.
In addition, Minister Ndlovu said the private sector should also play a role in developing the industrial sector, and as Government, his Ministry will provide all the support that will be needed.
On the overview and performance of the retail sector, Honourable Ndlovu said Government was monitoring 14 commodities that fall under the consumer basket. He said most prices of these goods have been hiked by some unscrupulous retailers.
He said introduction of Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, which banned the use of multi-currency for local transactions, will result in exports being competitive and consumers having access to use local currency.
Speaking at the same occasion, Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable Fortune Chasi made a presentation of the state of the energy sector where he encouraged the business people to pay their ZESA bills so as to improve the power situation in the country.
Other notable prominent people who attended the event include Deputy Minster of Industry and Commerce, Raj Modi and Chairperson of the Parliamentary portfolio on Industry and Commerce Honorable Joshua Sacco.
