Business Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa`s economic reforms continue to gain momentum as the country’ locally produced goods dominates shelf spaces.
Speaking during the Buy Zimbabwe 2022 Public Procurement Conference and Awards ceremony in Harare today, President Mnangagwa commended the various economic reforms being implemented by his administration saying that it was increasing the manufacturing capacity utilization in the country as more goods produced locally were now dominating shelf spaces.
“It is gratifying to note that the various economic reforms being championed by my Administration, coupled with concerted efforts of organizations such as the Buy Zimbabwe Trust, has seen locally produced goods now dominating shelf spaces.
“To consolidate this trend, my Government remains committed to fostering an enabling business environment and availing the requisite support to increase capacity utilization in our country`s manufacturing sector,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa said that the Second Republic was determined to support an entrepreneurial and innovative culture.
“Similarly, research and development as well as the registration of patents, support for innovation and inventions are being scaled up in a bid to have more locally made goods and services.
“The Second Republic is thus determined to support an entrepreneurial and innovative culture that will see our own young people answer the day to day needs of our country`s fast evolving and modernizing socio-economic landscape,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa further said that the public procurement must be deployed responsibly and in the national interest, not only as an empowerment vehicle but most importantly to accelerate sustainable national development. He added that all public procurement entities are exhorted to utilize public resources in the most efficient, transparent, accountable, responsive and ethical manner.
The President encouraged the public procurement entities to ensure value for money, whilst entrenching a culture of competition and promoting transparency, accountability as well as the prudent use of public resources.
Meanwhile, President Mnangagwa highlighted that the adoption and use of e-procurement and e-payment systems must be speeded up to lessen face to face interface between bidders and those doing the tendering process.
He further said that ICTs and administrative measures must be deployed to eliminate interference.
President Mnangagwa challenged the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) to refine the procurement policy and procedures to attract and ensure long term commitment by investors adding that PRAZ was directed to be a catalyst and not an impediment to the national development agenda.
He further commended the Buy Zimbabwe Trust for recognizing the efforts being made by both the public and private buyers towards promoting and supporting local procurement.
The Buy Zimbabwe 2022 Public Procurement conference is in line with President Mnangagwa`s mantra of Zimbabwe Is Open For Business.
