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Dr Mike Bimha

Nonsikelelo Moyo, Business Reporter
INDUSTRY and Commerce Minister Dr Mike Bimha yesterday called on marketers to work closely with Government agencies in promoting the Zimbabwean brand to potential investors.

Officiating at the Marketers Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ) 9th annual convention in Bulawayo, the minister said marketers had a strategic role in the economy, that of being ‘think-tanks”, in assisting Government and its various ministries.

“Marketers are very critical in their own discipline and in their different companies but we’re saying as an association you can actually put yourselves as a think-tank to offer services to Government and give a public relations intervention to Government ministries.

“Come let’s work together, let’s be able to brand Zimbabwe. We want to see your role in terms of promoting Zimbabwe and attracting investment,” said Dr Bimha.

The four-day convention started on Wednesday and ends tomorrow under the theme, “The changing face of marketing, Towards organisation and economic transformation”.

In an interview after the presentation, Dr Bimha said his ministry was working on a local content policy to reinforce some of the interventions put in place like Statutory Instrument 64 of 2016. He also challenged marketers to work closely with producers and consumers of local products.

The minister encouraged marketers to do research and establish how S.I.64 of 2016 has impacted their organisations and the nation at large.

MAZ president Mr Agrippa Mugwagwa said the association would take up the minister’s challenge.

“We’re very excited, as much as we feel challenged by the task that the minister has thrown at us. As professional marketers, we’re going to take up the responsibility to support that initiative and be part of that think-tank and package the message regarding brand Zimbabwe,” he said. — @nonsy_m.