Lyons Zimbabwe managing director and CZI vice president, Tracey Mutaviri
THE Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) will tomorrow hold its annual congress in Bulawayo where captains of industry are expected to strategise on improving production and competitiveness which has declined over the past decade.
The congress will run under the theme “Strengthening value chains for sustainable industrialisation and economic development”.
The congress, which will run from June 27-29, will buttress factors that hinge on the growth of value chains, mechanisation as a catalyst for growth and cost competitiveness.
Addressing journalists in Harare on Monday, Lyons Zimbabwe managing director and CZI vice president, Tracey Mutaviri, said the congress theme was ideal as the country was working on its industrialisation policy.
“Our congress theme is also very relevant to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat and the region as it is aligned to the SADC industrialisation strategy and roadmap, which seeks to engender a major economic and technological transformation at the national and regional levels in the context of deeper regional intergration,” she said.
The key note speaker, among a host of other notable speakers, is Monnane Monnane, the programme officer for SADC’s industrial policy.
“As you are aware that SADC recently launched the industrialisation agenda and one of the key pillars to industrialisation is value chains development,” she said.
She said the congress would start with a tour of four companies in the city. The companies are agriculture implementation group Zimplow, food processor – Arenel, conveyor belt manufacturer- General Belting and Auto motive concern Premier Gaskets.
Mutaviri said the four companies, represents four diverse sectors and were beneficiaries of the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund which was created to finance industrial recovery following a major plunge in capacity utilisation.
“Other areas of interest at the congress include the launch of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation country programme which also focuses on industrialisation,” she added.
Four awards would be presented at the congress which include, Exporter of the year, Listed company of the year, Buy local award and Energy efficiency awards.
The CZI congress is a key event on the business calendar and the economy as it helps shape the future of industry and informs government on key recommendations to boost local industry and the economy.
Follow us on Twitter @FingazLive and on Facebook – The Financial Gazette