Zimpapers Logo

Prosper Ndlovu
WITH about three years left for the implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset), there is a need to move faster and create the right momentum to achieve set economic goals. Generating the necessary support from both local and external investors and development partners thus remains a top priority.

Halfway through Zim-Asset’s implementation (2013-18) billions of dollars are still required for the country to deliver the targeted two million jobs and a 7,3 percent growth by 2018.

Slow progress has been recorded so far, although with notable milestones in some sectors, mainly due to the constricted domestic fiscal space and lack of access to international lines of credit.

The influx of cheap imports, antiquated equipment, widening trade deficit and fluctuating international market prices have worsened the plight of local firms, rendering them less competitive.

Going forward, the country needs to put more effort in creating enabling and mutually beneficial partnerships through improved ease of doing business and modernisation of business processes.

Often overlooked, communication and engagement is paramount in this regard, as an instrument of facilitating robust transformation and economic growth.

In light of this realisation, the government his week unveiled a new draft communication and engagement strategy document, which presents a roadmap for addressing Zim-Asset programme implementation issues at different levels.

The document details “an integrated, sequenced range of activities that prioritise stakeholders and target them with tailored messages, while specifying mechanisms for internal and external dialogue needed to position the government, enablers and others to catalyse equitable growth to empower Zimbabweans”.

Guided by expert input the Office of the President and Cabinet, a supervisory body in the implementation process, drafted the strategy, which also serves as a framework for cluster level communication and engagement.

Zim-Asset prioritises economic development in four key clusters — infrastructure and utilities, value addition and beneficiation, improved social services and revitalising the agriculture industry for enhanced food security and nutrition.

The communication and engagement strategy aims to ensure successful and timely implementation of Zim-Asset, “firstly by informing key stakeholders, then engaging them”.

It also takes into cognisance President Mugabe’s recent 10-point economic masterplan which, drawing inspiration from Zim-Asset, is anchored on speedy business environment reform processes to attract investment.

Major reform processes are already underway with Parliament working on numerous bills with a bias to addressing investor concerns.

The document identifies civil servants and the private sector as critical players in need of active dialogue based on shared goals.

Increased communication and engagement, as such, is envisaged to facilitate the desired partnerships, strengthen economic growth and enable ordinary Zimbabweans and businesses to prosper by attracting investment to build new infrastructure and expand public services.

Such a strategy would not only make every stakeholder feel positive about Zim-Asset but value it as an effective blueprint for economic and social transformation and be willing to participate in its implementation as owners.

Empowerment through informed education and mutual engagement would not fail to convince relevant players to support the blueprint.

Many people in and outside government would understand Zim-Asset as a “brand programme” and appreciate its scope, detail and promises in a deeper and broader manner.

Engaging the civil society, ordinary citizens, think- tanks and foreign interested parties such as the diaspora as well as the media is also paramount.

The document proposes stakeholder mapping focusing on different information sharing approaches and feedback mechanisms at different levels.

It also prioritises coordination, timing and consistency of messaging.

Holding public investment summits, live websites, regular briefings, use of social media, embassy briefings, distributing of brochures, media kits and advertisement are some of the communication approaches.

Zimbabwe needs close to $27 billion to finance Zim-Asset projects, revitalise the manufacturing sector and develop robust value addition and beneficiation synergies and improve domestic competitiveness and exports.

Representatives from key interested groups met in Harare on Monday to unpack the document and submitted their input ahead of its imminent adoption.