Gweru (New Ziana)-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has urged industry to continuously adapt through innovative and responsive strategies for increased production, productivity and profitability.
Speaking after a tour of Sino Zimbabwe Cement, Lesaffre and Bata Shoe Company, President Mnangagwa said the three companies are playing their part in expanding production as well as increasing productivity in line with the aspirations of the Second Republic.
President Mnangagwa commissioned a Polyurethane pouring machine at Bata and an expanded yeast manufacturing plant at Lesaffre.
He said the industrial sector is one of the strategic pillars of the attainment of the country’s vision of a prosperous and empowered upper middle income economy.
“This is through increasing manufactured value added products, innovation, exports, gross savings, foreign currency generation and employment creation among others,” he said.
The President said the transition of the economy from stabilisation to growth with manufacturing sector capacity utilisation having increased has seen locally produced goods occupying 75 percent of shop shelves in line with the Made in Zimbabwe and Buy Zimbabwe initiatives.
He said Bata’s investment of US$5,9 million in plant and machinery demonstrates their confidence in the Zimbabwean economy.
“The procurement of a Polyurethane pouring machine, which I have just commissioned today, should go a long way in the attainment of our national target of producing 17 million pairs of shoes annually.
“The polyurethane pouring machine will be producing a new product line of safety shoes and is in line with the expanding economy and soaring demand.”
Bata was founded in 1894 in Ziln, a small town in the Czech Republic. The company started its operations in Zimbabwe in 1931 with a sales office in Bulawayo, then moved to Gweru in 1937 where it started commercial footwear production.
He said it was pleasing to note that Sino Zimbabwe Cement Company, which is the third largest producer of cement in the country is operating at a capacity utilisation of 90 percent and currently employing 320 people.
“Their product diversification to brick manufacturing is benefiting the boom in the construction industry, which has seen huge investments in roads and housing among others,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said the expansion of the Lesaffre plant and partnership with local investors is an indication of the confidence that French corporations have in the operating environment brought by the Second Republic.
“I therefore urge other corporate entities in similar circumstances to take a leaf from Lesaffre and operate in a responsible manner.
“The 340 tons of yeast being produced by Lesaffre per month is a key ingredient in the production of the over 1,3 million loaves of bread baked daily in our country. The yeast is further used in the manufacture of alcoholic beverages as well as in waste management,” he said.
The President said business should strike a balance between the profitability of their operations and the welfare of their employees and surrounding communities through provision of decent housing for workers.
Government, he said, will continue to improve the ease and cost of doing business.
Local authorities should play a pivotal role in ensuring a conducive business operating environment through provision of services that match growth trends being fostered by the Second Republic, President Mnangagwa said.
Minister of Industry and Commerce Dr Sekai Nzenza said government is supporting the productive sector by creating an enabling environment for business in order to realise the President’s mantra of a private sector led economic growth.
She said her ministry was given a mandate to strengthen and develop value chains by increasing the use of local raw materials, creating jobs, bringing in technology, digitisation and improving productivity and competitiveness.
New Ziana
