Government has applauded the private sector for working together with the government saying during the past year they saw the maiden steps taken towards economic growth through increased capacity utilisation and increased exports.
Speaking during the CEO Africa Roundtable breakfast meeting held in the capital recently, Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Sekai Nzenza said President Emmerson Mnangagwa values the private sector for advancing economic development.
“These are the collective gains between Government and the private sector, especially you as private sector leaders.
“It is for this reason that His Excellency, the President Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa values private sector participation in advancing economic development and my ministry is continuously engaging with business leaders.
“It is also for this reason that the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) is centred on private sector led economic growth.
“2022 is the year of accelerated growth and consolidation of the production and productivity gains which were made in 2021. This will require innovative leadership harnessing opportunities like the ones presented under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and other existing trade agreements and protocols.
“For this reason, as we penetrate global markets and value chains, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has taken a decisive stance on standards, quality and competitiveness.
“I urge all of you to take advantage of the international goodwill which we have created under
His Excellency, the President’s re-engagement agenda through our various trade missions.
“I especially urge you to participate in these exchanges domestically and internationally starting with the upcoming ZITF 2022,” she said.
She added that In line with the National Development Strategy 1, under the pillar on moving the economy up the value chain and structural transformation, the government is seized with the task of ensuring the growth and development of key value chains.
“I would like to urge Chief Executive Officers here present to take advantage of the opportunities presented under these various value chains in order to grow and diversify their businesses.
“As the Minister responsible for Industry and Commerce I challenge all business leaders to have e-commerce platforms for trading and ease of doing business.
“This is because the current business-operating environment demands innovation which includes digitalization as a way to stay in business,” she added.
