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Minister Bimha

Senior Business Reporter
THIS year’s Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries annual congress will focus on strategies that will trigger economic growth in different sectors of the economy in line with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-economic Transformation (Zim-Asset).The annual congress, slated for Mutare, will be held from July 30 to August 1 under the theme, “Taking Zimbabwe’s industry to the next level”.

In a statement, CZI said deliberations would focus on strategising how economic growth could be triggered through value addition, beneficiation and public-private- partnerships.

“The congress will also look at spearheading value chain project, a cog towards industrial sustainability as well as focusing on structural and technological barriers and how to address them for the successful implementation of Zim-Asset,” it said.

Issues to do with the role of road and rail transport in Zimbabwe’s economic revival and growth would also come under discussion.

Since the adoption of a multi-currency system in February 2009, Zimbabwe’s manufacturing sector has struggled to improve capacity utilisation to competitive levels as it continues to grapple with limited power supply, working capital constraints, low product demand, and obsolete equipment challenges.

In light of the above challenges, local industries capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector last year stood at 39,6 percent declining from a peak of 44,9 percent in 2012.

It is hoped that the congress will focus on issues to address the above challenges so as to reduce the cost of power and enhancing availability.

Before the formation of the inclusive government in February 2009, companies were operating at an average of 10 percent capacity utilisation.

CZI said registration for the participating at the annual event was still in progress.

Break away sessions for mining and agriculture sectors would be held during the congress to allow delegates to network and create linkages.

Industry and Commerce Minister Mike Bimha will officially open the congress.

Local and international speakers expected at the business event include Transport and Infrastructural Development Permanent Secretary Munesushe Munodawafa, FTL Mauritius head of international and strategic development Patrick Meyepa, Professor Erik Reinhert, an economist from Norway, among others from Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey.