‘Brick upon brick we are indeed building the Zimbabwe that we all want’

President Mnangagwa’s speech at the tour of the United Refineries Limited yesterday
Salutations…

It is an honour and privilege to have been invited and accorded this opportunity to tour United Refineries Private Limited Company here in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province. I express my profound gratitude to the Board, Management and staff of United Refineries for the insightful tour we have just had. This tour is the final event in the series of visits we have had to the city of Bulawayo’s industrial area.

I also had the opportunity to open United Bulawayo Hospital Children’s Orthopedic Hospital and the Covid-19 Isolation Centre. I once again commend stakeholders and health services workers for the manner in which they continue to diligently serve our people and the country wholeheartedly.

The sector is assured of my Government’s continued support. Let me therefore, take this opportunity to thank this Province and other stakeholders for the manner in which they have prepared and conducted the visits and functions. The teamwork and unity of purpose which Bulawayo Province has shown is a demonstration of the whole Government and Multi-sectoral approach, in action. Congratulations Bulawayo Province for the job well done.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
The prevailing stable and predictable macro-economic environment continues to encourage investments, production, increased productivity and profitability across the industrial value chains. United Refineries Private Limited as one of the country`s leading producers of strategic consumer products is commended for its continued expansion drive. This has involved both upstream activities such as contract and corporate farming as well as downstream linkages with livestock production.

The aggregated capacity utilisation potential in stock feed production, vegetable oil refining and storage capacities, among others are pointers to the extent to which this company can contribute to growing the Province’s GDP and that of the nation at large.

I therefore exhort United Refineries Limited to take advantage of the various incentives my Government has put in place to capitalise, retool as well as adopt to new technologies, innovations and inventions. Furthermore, the company is encouraged to mainstream research and development through collaborating and partnering with universities and institutions of higher learning. This also includes taking advantage of the already established innovation hubs and industrial parks.

Ladies and gentlemen

I would like to applaud the manufacturing sector for its continued resilience, strength and resolve in the face of challenges endured following the outbreak of Covid-19. In light of disruptions caused by the pandemic, my Government remains committed and determined to work with the various economic players across all sectors to grow our economy. In this regard, my administration launched the Agriculture and Food Transformation System Strategy. The Maize, Wheat and Soya bean Production Recovery Plan continued therein, targets an agriculture sector which spurs sustainable economic growth and development.

It further complements the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy and the Zimbabwe Local Content Strategy. These seek to realize structural transformation as well as value chain and entrepreneurship development. To propel the private sector led economic development strategy, Government has instituted measures to increase production and exports, as shown by the recent announcement of the different incentives for exports and investment.

Increased exports will earn the country more foreign currency, create quality and productive jobs thus improving the standards of living for our people. I urge the manufacturing sector to take advantage of these initiatives and incentives. Already the sector has shown an admirable capacity to grow, as reflected by increased industrial capacity utilisation and the number of locally produced goods on our shelves. The joint 2021 Manufacturing Survey by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries projects 61 percent industrial capacity utilisation in 2021, up from 47 percent in 2020. This is indeed a bold and welcome rebound by the manufacturing sector.

Going forward, the sector in it’s entirety must continue deepening its collective resolve towards the modernisation, industrialisation, growth and prosperity of this great country. The task before us today, tomorrow and years to come is to consolidate the gains made to date as we boldly journey to become an empowered, prosperous, upper middle-income society by 2030.

Ladies and gentlemen

Let us remain united, peaceful, honest and hardworking to move our country forward. Brick upon brick we are indeed building the Zimbabwe that we all want. Let me once again express my gratitude to the leadership of Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, players in the manufacturing sector particularly, the Shareholders, Board, Management and Staff of United Refineries, for the opportunity to engage and share perspectives on growing our industries and building our great country.

With these remarks, it gives me great pleasure to wish the company great success in all business endeavours.

God bless you

God bless Zimbabwe

I thank you