eBusiness Weekly
Enacy Mapakame
HARARE – Industrialists have their work cut out as they converge in Bulawayo next week for the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) annual congress where they are expected to deliberate on industry challenges and map the way forward for its resuscitation and economic boom.
CZI president Sifelani Jabangwe said industry leaders anticipated a fruitful engagement with Government representatives where both parties would exchange notes on the best way to rebuild the once booming local industry, address competitiveness and increase production.
Some of industry challenges have centred on access to foreign currency to procure machinery and import essential raw materials. Shortage of foreign currency has resulted in supply gaps with manufacturers failing to meet production targets.
“We hope to get Government representation from highest level,” said Mr Jabangwe in a telephone interview with The Herald Business.
“We will look at issues on how industry can drive economic growth, the issues affecting the sector and its competitiveness,” he said.
This year’s congress will hold from 26 to 29 September in Bulawayo.
The congress will run under the theme “From dialogue to implementation”.
Regional and international companies from India, Japan, Turkey, Italy and Botswana have expressed interest to attend the congress. This provides an opportunity for captains of industry to exchange views and notes on how other countries have successfully turned around their economies as well as create linkages and possibly seal trade deals.
Mr Jabangwe said business was looking forward to engage with the new leadership as part of efforts to rebuild the economy and move towards Vision 2030 of becoming a middle income economy.
