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Michael Makuza, Business Reporter

THE Buy Zimbabwe Campaign has urged Zimbabweans to consume locally produced goods and services to assist the country in reducing the import bill while boosting domestic companies’ ability to employ more people.

Since 2011 Buy Zimbabwe has been spearheading a campaign to promote and buttress the need to procure local goods and services and deepen local value chains.

In a statement Buy Zimbabwe general manager, Mr Alois Burutsa, said support for local industries was critical in generating and preserving the scarce foreign currency while at the  same time satisfying both the local market demand and the export market.

“We have belief and confidence that if the local industry is supported by consumers, Zimbabwean companies will not only provide products which are cheaper and competitive, but can also satisfy local market demand and the export market while contributing to the achievement of Government’s Vision 2030 of transforming Zimbabwe to  upper middle-income status,” said Mr Burutsa.

In a bid to raise more awareness on the merits of buying locally produced goods and services, Buy Zimbabwe said saving foreign currency and jobs as  well as enhancing market access for local goods during the festive season, would be at the heart of their “Buy Zimbabwe Week”, which this year will run from 21 to 25 November 2022.

Mr Burutsa said this year’s campaign week will run under the theme “Defend and grow Zimbabwean products market share”.

He said a number of activities including roadshows for participating brands have been lined up to raise awareness on local goods and services.

“During the week brand ambassadors will be stationed at selected wholesale and retail outlets in major cities and towns where they will educate consumers on the necessity of purchasing local goods and help them to identify local brands,” he  said.

Mr Burutsa said the ambassadors will be deployed at retail and wholesale outlets in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, Masvingo, Kwekwe and Zvishavane.

Buy Zimbabwe recently established a local content office as part of efforts to ensure that local content policy gets traction as well as to deepen local value chains.

The local content office came after another milestone partnership between Buy Zimbabwe and Business Standards and Systems Certification to ensure verification of local content.

Buy Zimbabwe has also forged partnerships with the Midlands State University and Chinhoyi University of Technology to ensure market access for products produced by youths and SMEs.

Midlands State University (MSU)

“Buy Zimbabwe remains committed to the production, promotion and preference of local products and services to create and preserve jobs, wealth and pride,” said Mr Burutsa.