Hosia Mviringi in Mutare
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has tipped his hat for local industry for remaining upstanding even in the face of a myriad of challenges which have been foisted upon the operating environment by illegal sanctions and unforeseen acts of nature.
Against odds, Zimbabwean companies have been growing in scale and capacity as evidenced by the successive commissioning ceremonies that President Mnangagwa has presided over.
In his address after touring thriving Wattle Company, Mega Market and Willowton Group in Mutare, the President said he is aware of the challenges being faced by businesses in the country.
“As Government we applaud the manufacturing sector for remaining resilient in the midst of illegal sanctions, natural disasters and now the Covid-19 pandemic,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa said the fact that local products are now dominating supermarket shelves is a sign of growth in the local economy and the gains should be consolidated through buying local.
“This development will have a positive impact on sustainable socio-economic growth, employment and empowerment creation as envisaged in the National Development Strategy 1,” added President Mnangagwa.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa also urged the country’s manufacturers to forge enduring partnerships with major farmers and agricultural communities to ensure a steady supply of raw materials.
Imported raw materials have been the albatross on country`s industrial growth as they require scarce foreign currency.
“I urge you in the private sector, to nurture partnerships with agriculture stakeholders and communities towards ensuring increased production of key agricultural produce such as maize, wheat, soya beans, and sugar cane among others,” said President Mnangagwa.
Manufacturing companies were told to take a keen interest in the production of their key raw materials so that there is guaranteed steady supply for uninterrupted productivity.
The two companies that the President toured today, Mega Market and Willowton are consumers of agricultural produce as raw materials.
Willowton Industries use a lot vegetable oils, some of which is refined while some is used for making soaps and margarine.
This validates the President’s call for partnerships or Joint ventures with farmers for increased production of oilseed.
Mega Market (Pvt) Ltd has recently installed a modern Wheat and maize milling plant which will require a steady supply of locally produced grains.
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