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Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]

ZIMBABWE National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) says it is confident that the newly appointed Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Sithembiso Nyoni will speed up the revival of Bulawayo industries given that she is well-versed with the challenges facing many companies in the city.

Bulawayo which used to be the country’s industrial hub, witnessed a number of companies closing while others relocated to other towns and cities like Harare during the past ten years.

The city’s industries used to employ thousands of workers in the different sectors of the economy that include clothing, textiles, engineering, iron and steel as well as food manufacturing.

Government, which wants the city to regain its status of being the country’s industrial hub due to its strategic location, has been assisting companies to retool and in some cases to access working capital from financial institutions.

Speaking ahead of today’s industry engagement meeting with Dr Nyoni, ZNCC Matabeleland region vice president Mr Mackenzie Dongo said tapping from her experience in the previous portfolio in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), there is optimism that she has a firm understanding of the challenges that the Bulawayo business community is facing.

Mr Mackenzie Dongo

He said industry players expect Dr Nyoni to play a pivotal role in the revival of industries in the city.

“As the chamber of commerce, we are confident that she will be instrumental in the revival and expansion of Bulawayo companies,” said Mr Dongo.

He said communication and continuous engagement with industry will help to take the region and the country forward hence they are grateful that Minister Nyoni is hitting the ground running by meeting them today.

 “We expect the Minister as she settles in her esteemed office to tackle the issue of transparency between her ministry and industry,” said Mr Dongo. —[email protected]