Makoni (New Ziana) – Zimbabwe’s economy is one of the fastest growing in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) sub-region, and this is positively impacting lives in the country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said on Wednesday.
Over the last three years, the country’s gross domestic product has grown above any in SADC, enviably at a time economies around the world were partially shut down by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was achieved through policy interventions, and increased domestic investment in the economy, especially in key sectors such as agriculture, energy and industry.
Addressing thousands of ruling ZANU-PF party supporters at an election campaign rally here, President Mnangagwa said his government was ensuring benefits of the expanding economy percolated down to the grassroots through empowerment programmes, and devolution-funded projects across the country.
The economy is this year projected to grow by 5.3 percent, barring unforeseen factors.
President Mnangagwa said Manicaland province, which lay strategically on the country’s main road and rail exports routes to Mozambique, was poised to reap huge benefits from the economy’s growth.
“For three years in succession we have been recording the fastest growing economy (in SADC). The revised growth rate is underpinned by a strong performance in agriculture, information and communication technology (ICT), accommodation and food services, and improvements in the electricity supply situation. As a result of this growth we now boast of locally produced products on our shelves which make up almost 80 percent of the goods. Such growth rates put Zimbabwe among the fastest growing economies in Africa,” he said.
“Manicaland’s future is bright. Due to the province’s proximity to the sea, the country is currently engaging in talks to form mutual agreements with our friendly neighbours in order for us to be able to develop Beira port and an adjacent one for our own exports. This will also translate to the dualisation of the Harare-Mutare highway which is the shortest route to Beira through the Forbes Border Post,” President Mnangagwa said.
He said his government, if re-elected in next week’s elections, will re-double efforts to develop the country, primarily using local financial resources as has happened in the last five years.
The country will be choosing a new president, and parliamentary and local government representatives to run state affairs for the next five years.
President Mnangagwa said Mnaicaland province, which is endowed with vast minerals resources such as diamonds, gold, lithium, copper and iron, was poised for rapid growth and development in coming years.
That is if, he told the rally, the province voted for the ruling party which freed the country from British colonial rule through a bitter armed struggle, and has always put the interest of the people first.
New Ziana