Opinion / Columnist
Buy Zimbabwe and avoid timidity
04 Nov 2011 at 04:44hrs | Views
South Africans are definitely not apologetic when it comes to matters that are close to their hearts and when it comes to their jobs, sports, arts and general welfare they go out with all guns blazing to ensure that they succeed.
Zimbabwe is now also responding very well to the call-to-action and is keen to adopt global best practices to ensure success.
At the Langkawi International Dialogue we drew valuable lessons from Malaysia's miraculous economic transformation programme
At the Euromoney Conference our business leaders and decision-makers got a chance to share an international platform to exchange ideas, develop new contacts and participate in informed, impartial and leading-edge discussions on the Buy Zimbabwe Conference where we got to share the experiences of South Africa.
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to go through the South African Local Procurement Accord signed by Representatives of business, organised labour, the community constituency and government which is just a reflection of the country's commitment towards economic prosperity.
Before I look at the Accord in detail I wish to acknowledge that our Southern neighbours have gone beyond the sentiments Proudly South African by adopting a more bold approach by declaring "Buy South Africa" which is more tangible. The South Africans catch on pretty quickly.
To me though, its contents had a few surprises and I was tempted to conclude that Zimbabweans could have developed it.
However, it made me realise that our shortcomings were that we are timid even on serious issues and this can have serious implications especially with the stance taken by South Africa.
Let's say we ignore the fact that the South Africans have once again led by example, we also need to sign a similar accord as a matter of urgency.
I recall in 2007 the Tripartite Negotiating Forum signed the Kadoma Declaration and then appended their signatures on a revised Social Contract again in 2009.
This sort of spirit needs to be rekindled. I am confident that the blend of solutions suggested then would work because the partners have a more connected vision. Besides, we could use a proactive approach here.
The reason why I say this is really simple. If the social partners in SA achieve the 75 percent localisation in procurement of goods and services by both the public and private sectors they not only block avenues for our local industries to gain any meaningful market share in their economy.
They also further strengthen their own competitiveness in external markets, Zimbabwe included.
Despite the grave results of this, it is still not the thing that caught my eye about the accord.
What caught my attention is the strong focus on "commitment" by the SA partners: Government commitments such as leveraging public procurement, establishment of standards for measurement and verification of local content and roll out of infrastructure
Organised Business commitments such as support for local manufacturing, investment in domestic manufacturing, complementary between private sector procurement and state procurement and organised business and industry associations initiatives.
Other include organised labour commitments, labour and affiliates procurement, alignment of Union linked investment funds to local procurement initiatives and shareholder and corporate governance activism.
In terms of Community constituency commitments there is emphasis on creating awareness and social mobilisation and procuring locally and supplier development for cooperatives and social economy enterprises.
Community by all constituencies involves partnerships with Proudly South African and implementation of the accord.
According to the South Africans the commitments have the potential to accelerate the attainment of sustainable development, shared growth and job creation goals and targets and I totally agree.
I believe such a social contract will be the answer to Zimbabwe attaining the Millennium Development Goals, which right now seem to be a far sight.
A more aggressive approach will effectively direct our economic turnaround growth strategy.
It should help re-open doors even within Government departments the need to award contracts/tenders to local manufacturers.
The survey results produced by CZI on the state of manufacturing sector in Zimbabwe shows that low domestic demand has been cited as one of the key factors cited by local manufacturers as a key growth constraint.
Buy Zimbabwe thus fits very well into the social partnership as we primarily exist to increase demand for local products.
As a competitiveness driver geared at promoting the increased production and consumption of local goods and services through right policy environment, competitive brands and increased awareness and uptake of these, it is our firm belief that close cooperation between the partners will be a major determinant of the country's economic prosperity.
Now that we are in the festive season, which is usually a time for increased market activity, it is our opportunity to prove that we have the social cohesion to understand the impact of buying local on the economy.
I believe that if local products can enjoy a greater market share during this period then come 2012 we will see more and more local manufacturers achieving increased productivity and as Buy Zimbabwe we propose a number of initiatives that will make this possible.
Last week I focused on the Buy Zimbabwe week promotion aimed at increasing sales volumes by offering exciting tangible benefits to local consumers as a way of increasing visibility of Buy Zimbabwe partners.
Consumers will be rewarded for their loyalty through low prices and great prizes for winners.
Buy Zimbabwe and the National Incomes and Pricing Commission would, however, like to advice consumers to shop wisely during the festive and look out for quality products that are priced right.
The NIPC have projected that prices for most basic commodities are likely to remain stable as many supermarkets have introduced Christmas Promotions.
Go Zim . . . May the Lord bless us abundantly.
----------------
Robert Garai Muganda is the Media and Communications Executive for Buy Zimbabwe Campaign Email: robert@buyzimbabwe.org.zwor buy.zimbabwe@gmail.com Cell: 0772 714 233 Website: www.buyzimbabwe.org.zw
Zimbabwe is now also responding very well to the call-to-action and is keen to adopt global best practices to ensure success.
At the Langkawi International Dialogue we drew valuable lessons from Malaysia's miraculous economic transformation programme
At the Euromoney Conference our business leaders and decision-makers got a chance to share an international platform to exchange ideas, develop new contacts and participate in informed, impartial and leading-edge discussions on the Buy Zimbabwe Conference where we got to share the experiences of South Africa.
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to go through the South African Local Procurement Accord signed by Representatives of business, organised labour, the community constituency and government which is just a reflection of the country's commitment towards economic prosperity.
Before I look at the Accord in detail I wish to acknowledge that our Southern neighbours have gone beyond the sentiments Proudly South African by adopting a more bold approach by declaring "Buy South Africa" which is more tangible. The South Africans catch on pretty quickly.
To me though, its contents had a few surprises and I was tempted to conclude that Zimbabweans could have developed it.
However, it made me realise that our shortcomings were that we are timid even on serious issues and this can have serious implications especially with the stance taken by South Africa.
Let's say we ignore the fact that the South Africans have once again led by example, we also need to sign a similar accord as a matter of urgency.
I recall in 2007 the Tripartite Negotiating Forum signed the Kadoma Declaration and then appended their signatures on a revised Social Contract again in 2009.
This sort of spirit needs to be rekindled. I am confident that the blend of solutions suggested then would work because the partners have a more connected vision. Besides, we could use a proactive approach here.
The reason why I say this is really simple. If the social partners in SA achieve the 75 percent localisation in procurement of goods and services by both the public and private sectors they not only block avenues for our local industries to gain any meaningful market share in their economy.
They also further strengthen their own competitiveness in external markets, Zimbabwe included.
Despite the grave results of this, it is still not the thing that caught my eye about the accord.
What caught my attention is the strong focus on "commitment" by the SA partners: Government commitments such as leveraging public procurement, establishment of standards for measurement and verification of local content and roll out of infrastructure
Organised Business commitments such as support for local manufacturing, investment in domestic manufacturing, complementary between private sector procurement and state procurement and organised business and industry associations initiatives.
Other include organised labour commitments, labour and affiliates procurement, alignment of Union linked investment funds to local procurement initiatives and shareholder and corporate governance activism.
In terms of Community constituency commitments there is emphasis on creating awareness and social mobilisation and procuring locally and supplier development for cooperatives and social economy enterprises.
Community by all constituencies involves partnerships with Proudly South African and implementation of the accord.
According to the South Africans the commitments have the potential to accelerate the attainment of sustainable development, shared growth and job creation goals and targets and I totally agree.
I believe such a social contract will be the answer to Zimbabwe attaining the Millennium Development Goals, which right now seem to be a far sight.
A more aggressive approach will effectively direct our economic turnaround growth strategy.
It should help re-open doors even within Government departments the need to award contracts/tenders to local manufacturers.
The survey results produced by CZI on the state of manufacturing sector in Zimbabwe shows that low domestic demand has been cited as one of the key factors cited by local manufacturers as a key growth constraint.
Buy Zimbabwe thus fits very well into the social partnership as we primarily exist to increase demand for local products.
As a competitiveness driver geared at promoting the increased production and consumption of local goods and services through right policy environment, competitive brands and increased awareness and uptake of these, it is our firm belief that close cooperation between the partners will be a major determinant of the country's economic prosperity.
Now that we are in the festive season, which is usually a time for increased market activity, it is our opportunity to prove that we have the social cohesion to understand the impact of buying local on the economy.
I believe that if local products can enjoy a greater market share during this period then come 2012 we will see more and more local manufacturers achieving increased productivity and as Buy Zimbabwe we propose a number of initiatives that will make this possible.
Last week I focused on the Buy Zimbabwe week promotion aimed at increasing sales volumes by offering exciting tangible benefits to local consumers as a way of increasing visibility of Buy Zimbabwe partners.
Consumers will be rewarded for their loyalty through low prices and great prizes for winners.
Buy Zimbabwe and the National Incomes and Pricing Commission would, however, like to advice consumers to shop wisely during the festive and look out for quality products that are priced right.
The NIPC have projected that prices for most basic commodities are likely to remain stable as many supermarkets have introduced Christmas Promotions.
Go Zim . . . May the Lord bless us abundantly.
----------------
Robert Garai Muganda is the Media and Communications Executive for Buy Zimbabwe Campaign Email: robert@buyzimbabwe.org.zwor buy.zimbabwe@gmail.com Cell: 0772 714 233 Website: www.buyzimbabwe.org.zw
Source - www.buyzimbabwe.org.zw
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
