Better days on the horizon: CZI

02 Aug, 2019 - 00:08 0 Views
Better days on the horizon: CZI Henry Ruzvidzo

eBusiness Weekly

Ishemunyoro Chingwere

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) is seeing green light in the country’s macro-economic framework occasioned by the new dispensation and is confident it is the perfect tonic the country needs to regain its competitiveness on the export market.

These sentiments were expressed by CZI president Henry Ruzvidzo, while making a presentation at an exporters’ breakfast meeting with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Dr Minister Sibusiso Moyo.

The meeting was organised by Zimtrade.

Zimbabwe has had decades of economic regression but the new dispensation led by President Mnangagwa, has committed itself to reviving the country’s economy and has been crafting macro-economic interventions meant to foster growth.

Speaking at the breakfast meeting, Ruzvidzo said while it is very difficult to see positives in the midst of the economic challenges that Zimbabwe is facing industry has, however, seen enough of the direction the country is taking to get a conviction that better days are on the horizon.

Among other factors, Ruzvidzo pointed out the Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) that came into effect on May 30 after it was ratified by 22 member countries including Zimbabwe and the African Union has said it believes it will unlock a market of 1,2 billion people worth US$2,5 trillion for members.

Government is also implementing the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP 2018-2020) an economic blue-print that has been hailed by industry and multi-lateral organisations as a firm foundation for economic revival and growth.

Our scorecard may not look good (currently), it is not easy to see opportunities in the dark. However, the fact that we have a room full of exporters and potential exporters is testimony to our incredible spirit of enterprise and survival, said Ruzvidzo.

“The macro-economic transformation that we have seen over the past nine months or so has stabilised things. I think what remains for us now is  to really start pushing production, start pushing exports (and) really start driving the economy.

“. . . the main indication has been the economy must be driven by the private sector and we need to play our part.

“The continental free trade area, SADC, COMESA, the bi-laterals are all opportunities.

“Our Ministry of Industry and Commerce recently launched the national industry development policy and the local content policy.

“What they are looking for is for us to now take those policies, run with them and see what strategies we can come up with to take advantage of the policies that have been put in place,” he said.

Ruzvidzo also pointed out the easy of doing business reforms that are underway as some of the opportunities that industry should leverage on.

Speaking at the same event, Minister Moyo acknowledged that there are challenges in the economy but noted these should be understood in the context of where the nation is coming from.

He also challenged the exporters to play their important role in the revival of the economy.

“Yes they are challenges, but these challenges must be understood within the contest of where the overall nation is coming from and where the nation is going and what is its overall strategy and where do you fit in,” said Minister Moyo.

“If you realise that you cannot have string which stretches right from the strategic goals of a nation coming down to yourself, whether you are a gardener and you don’t understand the role you are playing to fit in into the bigger picture  then there must be something wrong,” he said.

Share This:

Sponsored Links

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds