Hosia Mviringi
The ruling ZANU PF has promised to remain focused on its goal to empower Zimbabweans.
In a statement to the media today at the ZANU PF Headquarters in Harare, Acting Spokesperson Cde Michael Bimha said the party will continue with its empowerment programmes.
Cde Bimha allayed fears that the party could be drifting away from the policy, saying that the idea is alive, saying the recent engagements with various empowerment groups and affiliates at the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair exhibition (ZITF) in Bulawayo and later in Gweru is a sign that they dedicate time and resources to the cause.
“On the issue of empowement, there has been confusion on whether the New Dispensation is still pushing the empowerment drive forward or it’s now backpedaling. As ZANU PF we believe that our people are responsible for driving our economy forward in various forms,” Cde Bimha said.
Cde Bimha said there were only a few adjustments were made to the policy.
“While we no longer subscribe to the 51/49 shareholding threshold of the old indigenisation policy, we strongly believe that empowerment of our people is the only way to move forward,” said Cde Bimha.
The Department of Indigenisation and Empowerment, which Cde Bimha leads, has continued to work closely with local empowerment groups to push forward the new revised policy so that a sizeable proportion of indigenous entrepreneurs take up commanding positions in all industries across various economic sectors.
“So the Department of Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment continues to rollout the approved revised policy on Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment,” he continued.
The old indigenisation and empowerment policy compelled a new foreign investor to cede 51 percent of their investment for allocation to a local partner as equity.
This policy was a thorn in the flesh for foreign investors who consider the local business environment as not investor friendly.
The old policy was largely blamed for scaring away foreign direct investment.
As such, the New Dispensation adopted a new holistic approach towards empowerment which involves capacitating local entrepreneurs with resources to build on their competitive advantage on the business front.
Under the new revised policy, a foreign investor has a choice to keep 100 percent of their investment or to seek a local partner of their liking, while government provides support to local businesses so that they grow and become competitive.
Cde Bimha explained that to prove the party’s commitment towards Empowerment, the party held successful engagements with empowerment group the Affirmative Action Group (AAG) in Bulawayo which is an active affiliate of the party.
The party continued its engagements with empowerment affiliate groups in Gweru where they partnered with the Business Economic Empowerment Partnership Forum (BEEPF).
The party is focused on empowering the grassroots and other previously disadvantaged groups that include women, youths and the disabled.
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