President resumes interface with business

President resumes interface with business

Yvonne Mutambwa

President Mnangagwa has resumed his site visits to businesses, a process which helps him understand operational challenges faced by industry.
Earlier this week, he was in Gweru, Midlands where he visited three businesses namely Sino Zimbabwe Cement, Bata Shoe Company and Lesaffre Zimbabwe.
Speaking on the tours, President Mnangagwa said the tours are important as they allow for the real time evaluation of policies.
“These tours are an extention of the various visits I conducted in industries across the country last year, towards enhancing my appreciation of the extent to which our manufacturing sector is responding to our policies,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa said he has seen good Zimbabwean products at various exhibitions across the country, which gives him strength that local businesses are on the right path.
“The oversubscription of exhibition space by local, regional and international exhibitors is indicative of the fact that our various investment initiatives are bearing fruits. It was at the Bata stand in Bulawayo where I made a commitment to conduct this tour of companies in Gweru,” added President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa said his Government is committed to ensuring that there is continued growth in capacity utilisation.
“With the manufacturing sector capacity utilization having increased.This has seen locally produced occupying 75% of Shop Shelves and is in line with our Made in Zimbabwe and Buy Zimbabwe initiatives,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa commended the People’s Republic of China represented by Sino Zimbabwe Cement Company for its contributions to the local economy.
It is the third largest producer of Cement in the country.
He also extolled Lesaffre Zimbabwe, a French yeast manufacturing company which has been increasing its footprint on the local market.
“I commend the investment by Lesaffre and their partnerships with local investors. The expansion of the Lesaffre plant is an indication of confidence the French corporations have in operating environment brought about by the Second Republic,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa encouraged players in the manufacturing sector to aggressively take advantage of and claim their shares of the market opportunities presented by The African Continental Free Trade Area, COMESA, SADC, as well as other emerging markets.