Zim-economy on the recovery path

The Government is dedicated to ensure that an enabling environment is created in the country to promote the quick recovery of the local economy. Meanwhile the Government is putting maximum effort in finding ways which are good for the economy. At the moment the government has invested more resources to expand Kariba power station.

Generation of electricity is the corner-stone of industrial production as it provides the most indispensible component as an input for production. It is expected that work will be finished soon to enhance effective supply of power to all sectors of the economy.

The transport sector is receiving preferential treatment through construction of roads which are essential for the movement of capital goods. ZINARA is working flat-out to complete major projects which include dualisation of trunk roads and the Harare International Airport road.

President Robert Mugabe is taking a leading role in advocating for beneficiation of mineral resources which are unlimited locally. There are efforts to establish a diamond centre which would take care of the diamond produced locally as opposed to exporting rough diamond. And effort is also put to merge the diamond companies so as to ensure efficiency in the exploitation of the resource for the good of the economy.

The government policy on indigenization of the economy is benefitting a number of people that are not in formal employment. Women are promoted in cross-border trading and establishment of legalized vending in many towns and cities. However, this does not include illegal vendors that are causing anarchy in the major cities. Vending is a well known form of employment world over as it can absorb a number of people so that they can eke out an innocent decent lifestyle.

The government should be complimented highly for managing to survive up to this day in the face of illegal sanctions imposed by the west which clipped its ability to run the properly for over a decade now. If the sanctions are wholly removed, certainly the economic situation will improve drastically for the good of the population.

Government in partnership with Old Mutual is currently crafting modalities for the creation of a fund meant to bail out distressed companies and ensure their revival. This is a positive move to resuscitate closed companies which have the potential to contribute immensely to the economy by provision of employment and production of goods to service the local market.

Government is also putting frantic effort to activate agricultural production as seen by the importation of agricultural equipment from Brazil recently.

Apart from government effort to recover the economy, there also unlimited business opportunities which are available in the country. These are available in mining, forestry, manufacturing, agriculture, transport sector and the energy sector.

To enhance this, the government relaxed the local investment laws. The Indigenisation and empowerment Act which prescribes that local business person should get 51% while foreign investors deserve 49% in any entity now applies to resource-based investment only. Any other sector, there are some friendly considerations which will apply.

"Today's coming of this group into the party is consistent with our big tent philosophy. A happy welcome to you all," President Tsvangirai said.

The MDC continues to obliterate the premature obituaries of this great movement. The party continues to showcase the dexterity with which it has confounded skeptics that underestimate the party's capacity to organize a common front of one big family of fighters for democratic change.