By Shadreck Gurenje
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said special attention is on economic transformation as the Second Republic accelerate the implementation of innovative projects towards the realisation of Vision 2030.
Commissioning the New Baker’s Inn Production Plant in Bulawayo, ZANU PF First Secretary and President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa said the national policy is anchored by in-ward-looking strategies and home grown solutions to propel sustainable socio-economic development and prosperity.
“In line with the National vision, special attention is centred on transforming our economy through moving up the value chains. This Policy thrust is anchored by in-ward-looking strategies and home grown solutions to propel sustainable socio-economic development and prosperity.
“Further, in this increasingly competitive world, improving technological capacity as well as pursuing contemporary ways of producing goods and services remain essential for business competitiveness and growth.
“It is therefore pleasing that the baking sub-sector has witnessed significant investment inflows, through re-capitalisation and re-tooling, marking a transition from antiquated technologies. As a result of this new plant, 1 expect Barker’s Inn to lower their production costs, enhance product viability and deliver quality goods, at a reasonable prices.
“Meanwhile the increased production of 200 000 loaves of bread per day, should see the creation of employment opportunities within the company, especially for women and the youth. Backward and forward linkages in aspects such as packaging and distribution must also be enhanced, “said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa applauded the Innovation of the Barkers’ Inn container project saying it will go a long way in providing entrepreneurship training and create employment for the people of Zimbabwe.
“The Innovation of the Barkers’ Inn container project is applauded as it will not only grow the company’s sales footprint but also provide beneficiaries with entrepreneurship training under the mini-wholesale bread business project. Well done.
“Zimbabwe has now managed to be wheat self-sufficient and this momentum must be maintained .To complement Government efforts, I urge players in the milling and baking industry to increase the number of contracted farmers to boost domestic wheat production and that of other crops,”said President Mnangagwa.
The Head of State and Government and also Chancellor of all state universities urge the investors to collaborate with local higher learning institutions utilising the on-going heritage based education on innovation.
“Furthermore, I exhort investors to invest in the production of other raw materials required for baking, which are currently being imported, such as fats and enzymes, among others.
“Collaborations and synergies with our institutions of higher learning for development of enzymes and other products that improve the quality of our bread and confectionaries must be pursued,” said President Mnangagwa.