Bimha launches ZNCC Masvingo Chapter

The Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mike Bimha has launched the Masvingo Chapter of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC).

He launched the Chapter at Flamboyant Hotel on Friday last week and attending the grand event for the Ancient City were the Minister of State for Masvingo, Shuvai Mahofa and tens of business people from throughout the Province.

There also was Fungai Mbetsa who is Masvingo Provincial Administrator, ZNCC deputy president as well as Securico managing director Divine Ndlukula, vice president Manicalnd Tamuka Macheka, chief executive  officer  Christopher Mugaga, Manicaland manager Perpetua Guwila, Manager Gweru Skanyisiwe Sibanda, Christine Kahari, Harare Manager and Melody Kaingidza the Chamber's Publicity Manager.

Masvingo is the only province in the country that was not covered by the ZNCC chapters.Bimha said ZNCC activities were important for gauging the progress of business in the different parts of the country.

"As the Ministry of Industry, we trust that the business community in Masvingo will avail themselves to the ZNCC Masvingo office and as Government, we will continue to work with Business Member Organisations (BMO) in the economic growth trajectory.

"The branch will go a long way in helping gauge  progress on how far business has gone in contributing to the economy and formally register business concerns in the City and surrounding areas, towards policy issues thereby advancing a common understanding of business challenges and opportunities, hence facilitating communication and linkages where none existed," said Bimha.

He said Government was committed to resuscitating the economy in partnership with BMO like ZNCC who have made the bold decision to reach out to all the corners of the country.

"As we open the doors of the ZNCC Masvingo branch we are also opening the doors of opportunities for its other six districts and there is no doubt ZNCC will have tremendous impact on the business community in these areas.

"As Government, we remain focused on ensuring that industry resuscitates. We have achieved some success with the SI64 of 2016 having had a positive impact on industry capacity utilisation.

"However, we have plenty more work to do, and the move by ZNCC to have the 'Manufacture in Zimbabwe Campaign' reach out to remote areas in the province, will help address heavy reliance on South Africa," said Bimha.

In her welcome remarks the Minister of State for Masvingo Province, Shuvai Mahofa commended the interim committee led by Andrew Chekani for working tirelessly to ensure that a robust voice of business opens a branch in the province for the  first  time  in  more  than 20 years.

The ZNCC national president Davison Norupiri urged business to always engage the authorities at local and national level so that there is a win-win outcome. "It is important that we engage authorities so that they promulgate laws that are pro-business because if we don't engage them they may craft laws which lead to closure of businesses," said the Harare based businessman.

The Masvingo chapter interim chairman Chekani thanked the Masvingo business community for coming in their numbers for the official launch and the national leadership for the guidance in setting up the branch.