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Vusumuzi Dube, Sunday News Reporter

THE ZIM-ASSET Bulawayo stakeholders’ engagement conference started on Friday amid confidence that deliberations at the two-day conference will go a long way in reviving the city’s industries.

The conference which is being held under the theme: “Consolidating Bulawayo’s growth through Zim-Asset”, will see 20 Ministers meeting at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, making various contributions regarding the work done by their Ministries regarding the revival of Bulawayo’s economy.

In a speech read on her behalf by Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo, First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe said it was heartening to note that despite the challenges faced by the city there were still leaders who still had the time to meet and discuss the economic turnaround programme of the city.

“The aim of this conference is to create awareness and understanding of what Zim- Asset is all about and further to bring in various Ministries and government departments closer to the people of Bulawayo and create a platform where issues can be raised as well as give clarity in areas where there is need for clarity.

“It is paramount for Zimbabweans to understand that in order for Zim-Asset to be a success, it has to be a national effort but not left to the government alone. Two key sectors, public and private have to create a good working relation to ensure a positive outcome,” said Dr Mugabe.

The First Lady noted that the city had once been regarded as the industrial hub of the country but due to a number of problems faced by the country at large it had suffered immensely hence the need for an all-stakeholders approach to help revive the city’s economy.

“Despite all these challenges faced by Bulawayo the city still has vibrant think tanks that can steer its ship forward hence Bulawayo should not be allowed to die. My message to the people of Bulawayo is that of hope, resilience and innovation as the city moves forward in embracing new forms of development programmes that can positively impact the city.

“This city has its own unique needs and requirements that have to be addressed adequately in order for the industries to get the boost that it needs. However, in the challenging environment Bulawayo has success stories that have to be noted and these should be also explored especially those companies that have been particularly innovative without waiting for the government,” said the First Lady.

She said it was encouraging that the conference was not only made up of top business executives alone but was all encompassing.

Dr Mugabe said it was now key for big businesses to engage SMEs in imparting the various knowledge they have so that the sector contributes to the economic revival of the city.

“We welcome the declaration of Bulawayo as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), declaring the city as an SEZ means increased economic activity, liquidity and employment for the city. This will also allow the city to attract companies to come and produce within the city, this thereby creating employment and steering the city’s economy,” she said.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same event, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko encouraged delegates to engage in frank discussions as this was the only way resolutions adopted could be realistic and achievable.

He bemoaned the level of corruption in the country saying that this was pulling the country’s economy backwards.

“This is a workshop on Zim-Asset confined particularly to the resuscitation of Bulawayo’s economy. What President Mugabe and the First Lady want us to do within these two days is to come up with tangible strategies to revive the city’s economy.

“As people from Bulawayo, we must not allow the city to collapse while we watch. Within these two days we must talk of corruption without fear or favour. We must name and shame anyone we know is engaging in corrupt activities as frankly these people are no good for the nation as a whole and they are criminals who deserve to be arrested,” said VP Mphoko.

He called on delegates to the conference not to fear any Minister or government official.

“Right now we all know that the Cold Storage Commission is on its knees yet at one point this region was the biggest livestock producers, we want answers on what is happening there. We also know that ZINARA gave local authorities a lot of money to fix roads but we still have potholes in all our roads, someone must tell us what is happening there. This has to be a frank conference because if we just sit and lie to each other there is nothing which we will have achieved in these two days,” said VP Mphoko.

Ministers  expected to present at the conference include; Cde Patrick Chinamasa (Finance and Economic Development), Dr Joseph Made (Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development), Cde Mike Bimha (Industry and Commerce), Professor Jonathan Moyo (Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development), Cde Christopher Mushohwe (Information, Media and Broadcasting Services), Dr Lazarus Dokora (Primary and Secondary Education), Cde Prisca Mupfumira (Public Service, Labour and Social Services) and Dr Obert Mpofu (Macro Economic Planning and Investment Promotion).

Other ministers include Engineer Walter Mzembi (Tourism and Hospitality Industry), Cde Walter Chidakwa (Mines and Mining Development), Cde Samuel Undenge (Energy and Power Development), Cde Sithembiso Nyoni (Small and Medium scale Enterprises and Co-operatives Development), Cde Saviour Kasukuwere (Local Government, Public Works and National Housing), Cde Supa Mandiwanzira (Information Communication, Technology and Courier Services) and the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development Cde Joram Gumbo.