Opinion / Columnist
A $100 billion Economy for Zimbabwe by 2040 - Tsvangirai
20 Feb 2012 at 14:54hrs | Views
Keynote speech by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai at the CEO Africa Roundtable in Victoria Falls on 18 February 2012
Cabinet Ministers here present
The President of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Mr Binha
The President of Business Council of Zimbabwe Mr David Govere
Our Hosts KM Financial Solutions and Mr Mafukidze
Delegates to the CEO Africa Roundtable
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with pleasure that I stand before you today to address business leaders on the key issue of ensuring a $100 billion economy in Zimbabwe by 2040.
Let me say from the outset that I am proud that as a nation we have begun to envision the Zimbabwe we want by the year 2040.
The Holy Book, Proverbs 29 verse 18, says "Where there is no vision people perish"and the issue we address today means as a people and as a country, we are envisioning the Zimbabwe we want for ourselves and our children.
Firstly, let me say that as a country and as people, we have seen the worst especially in the years 2007/ 2008.
We have now weathered the worst part of the storm and that is why I congratulate the organizers of this conference for making us talk of the future.
It is also good that you have dragged politicians like me to talk about the future.
By nature, most politicians are averse to discussing the future because they are afraid of setting the benchmarks upon which they will be judged.
My species would rather talk about the past; indeed we would rather concentrate on our historical achievements rather than exercise our minds on laying the ground for the future that we want as a people and as a country.
So I am glad that you have dragged me here to talk about that future!
But let me begin with the past!
The year 2008 must surely stand out as one of the worst period ever experienced in this country as all social indicators had sunk to an all-time low.
The key social sectors of health and education had all but collapsed, our money was worthless and our collective pride and dignity eroded. Our people were scavenging food and our economy had received a severe knocking.
In the past three years, despite our problems as a troubled coalition, we have brought some modicum of stability to this country. With a sustained growth rate now approaching double digits, Zimbabwe is now experiencing a growing economy, albeit at a pace much slower than wished.
Yet there is still a lot of work to be done by all of us!
I say this because it has a bearing on what we are discussing here today.
Because in 2008, no one would have thought that we would be where we are today.
But we are here, with some restored dignity and at least we are proud to be Zimbabwean! Four years ago, we were the most embarrassing African story!
So because we have done it before where no one gave us any chance, there is no reason why we cannot believe that we will have a $100 billion economy by 2040.
The good news is that we have the ingredients that poise us as a people to achieve our vision; a hard-working people and a blessed land pregnant with opportunities.
I am pleased to learn that since the last Chief Executives' Round Table, there has been resonance across the country that our collective momentum can ensure the achievement of a $100 billion economy in Zimbabwe by 2040.
I have also learnt with pride that the Business Council of Zimbabwe has now moved a step further to set up imperatives for the achievement of this target as well as assigning champions for the achievement of key imperatives.
As government, we are proud of the momentum that is beginning to gather around this issue.
There is a role for everyone in government, labour and business to ensure that we all work towards the fulfillment of this dream. We must start seeing our financial and savings institutions becoming more creative, insurance players, bankers and Pension Funds, all harnessing their effort towards this vision.
Savings and capital markets no doubt have to play a pivotal role in developing this economy.
Indeed, our own capital markets have the potential to create great opportunities for themselves as we work towards this vision.
I am also pleased that the thrust for the 2012 Round Table is one geared to the setting of identifiable opportunities and action items that will foster the achievements of key targets, unlocking potential and speeding up critical enablers that will ensure that our economy is worth $100 billion by 2040, or earlier!
But I want to challenge you as the business community; that you must be principled and unshakable in your motivation to achieve the national vision. The cry-baby mentality must go and if we all agree that we want to achieve this target, let us make sure we achieve it come hail high water.
Some of you are even afraid to come to my office for fear of the unknown. I urge you to come to my office in broad daylight so that we can discuss this country's future in an open and frank manner.
I want to assure you that as government, we have the biggest role to play in this agenda by ensuring that there is policy consistency and policy predictability!
Mixed messages from the same government, violence, hate speech andlack of implementation of agreed reforms cannot set the correct tone for our national dream.
As a nation, we have to address our poisoned politics if we are to confound our critics and create the necessary environment for growth and investment.
I was in Chiadzwa since Thursday and saw massive equipment and machinery tearing the belly of the earth.
I told Ministers and the management of all the companies that are mining diamonds there that all those diamonds will mean nothing if they do not change the lives of the people of this country.
I called for transparency in the mining and sale of diamonds because surely, we cannot achieve a $100 billion economy by 2040 if we have a kleptocratic government, porous systems and weak and corrupt national institutions!
So transparency, accountability, hard work and sincerity are going to be critical factors as we move towards strengthening and growing our economy.
But to achieve this dream, we have to lay the groundwork by making sure we deliver on the basic enablers that will enable us to achieve our target of a $100 billion by 2040.
With our estimated current GDP of between $5 billion and $6 billion, we must be able to project what we need to do first to make a realistic projection of when we can able to achieve this target.
As long as we deal with the basics first, I am convinced that this is achievable.
Firstly, we have to deal with infrastructural development. Our roads, railways and other basic infrastructure should be upgraded to lay the foundation for kick-starting our economic vision.
Other key enablers such as energy and ICTs must be enhanced to make sure that we have a solid base on which to anchor our dream.
In agriculture, we must deal with the controversy around our land tenure system by giving title deeds to land holders in order to give value to that finite asset, but this can only be done after a comprehensive land audit which should establish who owns what land. Agriculture is the mainstay of this economy and we must ensure optimum production and food security.
We must restore noise in our silent factories by ensuring that our manufacturing sector retains its erstwhile position of 23 percent of GDP.
But ladies and gentlemen, let me also say that the key ingredient towards growth and sustainable development is peace!
Peace will unlock all the doors to hidden opportunities.
Peace and tolerance will ensure that we all live harmoniously, despite our political, tribal and religious differences.
Peace will always be a key factor today, tomorrow and the day after.
Peace amongst ourselves will unleash our collective potential and guarantee that we lift each other up, irrespective of whether one runs a small or a big business, or whether one is Zanu PF or MDC.
Indeed, peace is the missing link in this country.
We can lay plans, draw up lofty visions, craft comprehensive economic policies but all that can only be achieved in an environment of peace and tolerance.
So as the leadership of this country, we will strive to create and encourage peace in Zimbabwe so that everyone has the freedom to pursue and live their dreams.
Last week, I attended the National Day of Prayer for Peace and I was humbled by the thousands of people who turned up to pray for a peaceful Zimbabwe, especially as we go towards the next election.
I am quite aware that my speech there was misquoted by I will repeat what I said in the full hope that you will agree with me on this one.
As chief executive officers and key players in business, I urge you to pray for us as the national leadership so that God guides us and gives us the necessary wisdom as we navigate this delicate transition.
Indeed, President Mugabe and I deserve your prayers as we have been entrusted with the stewardship of this nation.
Pray for us in your factories, in your homes and in your churches but above all, pray for Zimbabwe so that his land is blessed and that we achieve our collective dreams and aspirations.
Without God, we are doomed to fail.
So while we pray for a $100 billion economy by 2040, I also want to say Zimbabwe for Jesus by 2040!
May God bless You.
And May God bless Zimbabwe
I Thank You
Morgan R Tsvangirai
Cabinet Ministers here present
The President of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Mr Binha
The President of Business Council of Zimbabwe Mr David Govere
Our Hosts KM Financial Solutions and Mr Mafukidze
Delegates to the CEO Africa Roundtable
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with pleasure that I stand before you today to address business leaders on the key issue of ensuring a $100 billion economy in Zimbabwe by 2040.
Let me say from the outset that I am proud that as a nation we have begun to envision the Zimbabwe we want by the year 2040.
The Holy Book, Proverbs 29 verse 18, says "Where there is no vision people perish"and the issue we address today means as a people and as a country, we are envisioning the Zimbabwe we want for ourselves and our children.
Firstly, let me say that as a country and as people, we have seen the worst especially in the years 2007/ 2008.
We have now weathered the worst part of the storm and that is why I congratulate the organizers of this conference for making us talk of the future.
It is also good that you have dragged politicians like me to talk about the future.
By nature, most politicians are averse to discussing the future because they are afraid of setting the benchmarks upon which they will be judged.
My species would rather talk about the past; indeed we would rather concentrate on our historical achievements rather than exercise our minds on laying the ground for the future that we want as a people and as a country.
So I am glad that you have dragged me here to talk about that future!
But let me begin with the past!
The year 2008 must surely stand out as one of the worst period ever experienced in this country as all social indicators had sunk to an all-time low.
The key social sectors of health and education had all but collapsed, our money was worthless and our collective pride and dignity eroded. Our people were scavenging food and our economy had received a severe knocking.
In the past three years, despite our problems as a troubled coalition, we have brought some modicum of stability to this country. With a sustained growth rate now approaching double digits, Zimbabwe is now experiencing a growing economy, albeit at a pace much slower than wished.
Yet there is still a lot of work to be done by all of us!
I say this because it has a bearing on what we are discussing here today.
Because in 2008, no one would have thought that we would be where we are today.
But we are here, with some restored dignity and at least we are proud to be Zimbabwean! Four years ago, we were the most embarrassing African story!
So because we have done it before where no one gave us any chance, there is no reason why we cannot believe that we will have a $100 billion economy by 2040.
The good news is that we have the ingredients that poise us as a people to achieve our vision; a hard-working people and a blessed land pregnant with opportunities.
I am pleased to learn that since the last Chief Executives' Round Table, there has been resonance across the country that our collective momentum can ensure the achievement of a $100 billion economy in Zimbabwe by 2040.
I have also learnt with pride that the Business Council of Zimbabwe has now moved a step further to set up imperatives for the achievement of this target as well as assigning champions for the achievement of key imperatives.
As government, we are proud of the momentum that is beginning to gather around this issue.
There is a role for everyone in government, labour and business to ensure that we all work towards the fulfillment of this dream. We must start seeing our financial and savings institutions becoming more creative, insurance players, bankers and Pension Funds, all harnessing their effort towards this vision.
Savings and capital markets no doubt have to play a pivotal role in developing this economy.
Indeed, our own capital markets have the potential to create great opportunities for themselves as we work towards this vision.
I am also pleased that the thrust for the 2012 Round Table is one geared to the setting of identifiable opportunities and action items that will foster the achievements of key targets, unlocking potential and speeding up critical enablers that will ensure that our economy is worth $100 billion by 2040, or earlier!
But I want to challenge you as the business community; that you must be principled and unshakable in your motivation to achieve the national vision. The cry-baby mentality must go and if we all agree that we want to achieve this target, let us make sure we achieve it come hail high water.
Some of you are even afraid to come to my office for fear of the unknown. I urge you to come to my office in broad daylight so that we can discuss this country's future in an open and frank manner.
I want to assure you that as government, we have the biggest role to play in this agenda by ensuring that there is policy consistency and policy predictability!
Mixed messages from the same government, violence, hate speech andlack of implementation of agreed reforms cannot set the correct tone for our national dream.
I was in Chiadzwa since Thursday and saw massive equipment and machinery tearing the belly of the earth.
I told Ministers and the management of all the companies that are mining diamonds there that all those diamonds will mean nothing if they do not change the lives of the people of this country.
I called for transparency in the mining and sale of diamonds because surely, we cannot achieve a $100 billion economy by 2040 if we have a kleptocratic government, porous systems and weak and corrupt national institutions!
So transparency, accountability, hard work and sincerity are going to be critical factors as we move towards strengthening and growing our economy.
But to achieve this dream, we have to lay the groundwork by making sure we deliver on the basic enablers that will enable us to achieve our target of a $100 billion by 2040.
With our estimated current GDP of between $5 billion and $6 billion, we must be able to project what we need to do first to make a realistic projection of when we can able to achieve this target.
As long as we deal with the basics first, I am convinced that this is achievable.
Firstly, we have to deal with infrastructural development. Our roads, railways and other basic infrastructure should be upgraded to lay the foundation for kick-starting our economic vision.
Other key enablers such as energy and ICTs must be enhanced to make sure that we have a solid base on which to anchor our dream.
In agriculture, we must deal with the controversy around our land tenure system by giving title deeds to land holders in order to give value to that finite asset, but this can only be done after a comprehensive land audit which should establish who owns what land. Agriculture is the mainstay of this economy and we must ensure optimum production and food security.
We must restore noise in our silent factories by ensuring that our manufacturing sector retains its erstwhile position of 23 percent of GDP.
But ladies and gentlemen, let me also say that the key ingredient towards growth and sustainable development is peace!
Peace will unlock all the doors to hidden opportunities.
Peace and tolerance will ensure that we all live harmoniously, despite our political, tribal and religious differences.
Peace will always be a key factor today, tomorrow and the day after.
Peace amongst ourselves will unleash our collective potential and guarantee that we lift each other up, irrespective of whether one runs a small or a big business, or whether one is Zanu PF or MDC.
Indeed, peace is the missing link in this country.
We can lay plans, draw up lofty visions, craft comprehensive economic policies but all that can only be achieved in an environment of peace and tolerance.
So as the leadership of this country, we will strive to create and encourage peace in Zimbabwe so that everyone has the freedom to pursue and live their dreams.
Last week, I attended the National Day of Prayer for Peace and I was humbled by the thousands of people who turned up to pray for a peaceful Zimbabwe, especially as we go towards the next election.
I am quite aware that my speech there was misquoted by I will repeat what I said in the full hope that you will agree with me on this one.
As chief executive officers and key players in business, I urge you to pray for us as the national leadership so that God guides us and gives us the necessary wisdom as we navigate this delicate transition.
Indeed, President Mugabe and I deserve your prayers as we have been entrusted with the stewardship of this nation.
Pray for us in your factories, in your homes and in your churches but above all, pray for Zimbabwe so that his land is blessed and that we achieve our collective dreams and aspirations.
Without God, we are doomed to fail.
So while we pray for a $100 billion economy by 2040, I also want to say Zimbabwe for Jesus by 2040!
May God bless You.
And May God bless Zimbabwe
I Thank You
Morgan R Tsvangirai
Source - Byo24News
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