By Shadreck Gurenje

 President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said government established the National Competitiveness Commission with the mandate to facilitate a competitive environment for Zimbabwean business.

Giving his keynote address at the Inaugural Annual Competitiveness Summit in Bulawayo today, President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said the National Competitiveness Commission is a key institution tasked with the responsibility to interrogate the various aspects of the country’s economy, to enhance both local and global competiveness.

“My government established the National Competitiveness Commission, with the mandate to facilitate a competitive environment for Zimbabwean business.

“The commission is key institution tasked with the responsibility to interrogate the various aspects of the country’s economy, to enhance both local and on the global competiveness, platform.

“As you are aware ,the first edition of the National Development Strategy is coming to an end in 2025.Efforts are underway to develop the successor programme ,the National development Strategy 2 .This is set to anchored on fiscal discipline ,macro-economic stability as well as robust trade and investment ,as critical drivers for improving productivity and competitiveness, “said President Mnangagwa.

The Head of State and Government also underscored that the incoming National Development Strategy 2 will prioritise value addition and industrialisation particularly in the manufacturing sector.

“The NDS2 will prioritise value addition and industrialisation, particularly in the manufacturing sector. The aim is to increase the sector’s value from the current US$4Billion to over US$10Bilion, through a strategic focus on value chains in different sectors, “said President Mnangagwa.

President Mnangagwa also commended National Competitiveness Commission for identifying notable local and international specialists in the field which placed Zimbabwe on a strategic position to benefit from shared experience.

“I commend the National Competitiveness Commission for identifying notable local and international specialists in the field, to be on the agenda of this event.

“Zimbabwe stands to benefit from shared experience .Additionally ,the production of the annual Zimbabwe Competitiveness Report by the National Competitiveness Commission ,which informs policy interventions to address factors that mitigate against national competiveness is applauded .the Report will undoubtedly inform the ease of doing business Reforms.

“The Reports also seeks to ensure that our nation offers products and services that meet quality standards of local and world markets at prices that provide good returns. I am advised that the 2024 Zimbabwe Competitiveness Report is under consideration by the Cabinet Committee on the Ease of doing Business and will soon be presented to cabinet for approval.

“My Government’s thrust is premised on the need to promote value addition and beneficiation of raw materials and minerals that support the creation of vibrant industrial value chains, which are critical in the transformation of our economy.

“To date, the Zimbabwe Industrial Reconstruction and Growth Plan has been developed as the transitional plan to address the challenges currently bedevilling both the industrial and commercial sectors,” said President Mnangagwa.