The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga Senior Business reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce congress is set to tackle key issues that continue to hamper the realisation of the country’s aspirations as enunciated in the various economic blueprints that the government has produced.Focus would be on the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation and the role of the private sector in achieving its objectives.
The 121st edition will be held from 25- 27 June in Victoria Falls under the theme ‘Translating Economic Blueprints into Growth.’
ZNCC chief economist Mr Kipson Gundani said the congress comes at a time when the rate of economic growth continued to slow down with estimates putting it at 3,2 percent this year.
The slowdown in growth has been attributed to the stunted performance in key sectors, particularly agriculture and mining.
“In the recently launched World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness report 2013/4, the major factors affecting the economy remain unchanged. This, therefore, means there has been little progress in resolving the major challenges bedevilling the economy. It, therefore, calls for concerted efforts from all stakeholders in the form of a shared national vision to address these deep seated challenges that are affecting the economy,” said Mr Gundani.
He said the country had produced many blueprints but the growth impact had been minimal hence the need to come up with resolutions that give a clear cut way forward in achieving the objectives.
Speaking on the key topics to be discussed during the congress, Mr Gundani said there would be a session on structural economic enablers, their current state, constraints and recommendations.
“We are expecting a factual paper from the Africa Development Bank that will look at the infrastructural sectors that include rail, energy, roads, ICTs, water and sanitation. The paper will explore the current state in terms of functionality of these infrastructures, current capacity, desired capacity and the impact on achieving the desired Zim Asset objectives and the impact on business in particular.
It will also compare the results with regional major trading partners to identify our competitiveness shortcomings,” he said.
Another topical issue to be discussed during the congress is how Zimbabwe can manage country risk factors.
Investor confidence, according to economists, is a key economic enabler which if left unattended may render futile all the country’s efforts towards restoring the economy to its former glory.
“The Congress will devote a fair share of its time towards addressing those areas that have been at the centre of erosion of both local and foreign investor confidence, which developments have resulted in industry failing to attract fresh capital with which to replace currently obsolete equipment and machinery in order to improve productivity, capacity utilisation, competitiveness and indeed contribution to national goals,” said Mr Gundani.
Other issues include financing options for business in difficult times, promoting a culture of productivity and revising Zimbabwe’s education system to suit the emerging economy.
According to the ZNCC, it is expected that the congress will generate important data, facts, proposals and resolutions that are key in achieving the economic goals of the country as well as delegates to increase their understanding of the economic policy mix and roles they should play.
