Shelf occupancy of locally manufactured goods rises to 80pc
Share
SHELF occupancy of locally manufactured goods has increased to 80 percent, a development which is set
to continue bolstering Zimbabweʼs comparative, competitive and adaptability advantages to move the
economy up the value chains.
This was revealed by Industry and Commerce Minister, Dr Sekai Nzenza, at the just-ended Zimbabwe
International Trade Fair (ZITF) in Bulawayo.
Dr Nzenza said the country continued to witness increases in investments, exports, production and
capacity utilisation, which have all contributed invaluably towards the countryʼs economic growth
trajectory.
“This month, according to the recent CZI Manufacturing Sector Survey, we were informed that at least
US$101 million was invested into the country in 2022 alone,” she said.
“Resultantly, capacity utilisation has increased from 56 percent in 2021 to about 63 percent, shelf
occupancy of our locally manufactured goods has increased to about 80 percent.
“The dividend declared from the convergence in the mutual aspirations between Government and the
private sector is the increase in investment, exports, production and capacity utilization.”
President Mnangagwaʼs clarion call for a private sector-led economy, said Dr Nzenza, continued to benefit
the countryʼs productive sector, while buttressing the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.
“In the discourse which has ensued during the ZITF, including Connect Africa and the International
Business Conference, what has emerged is that the productive sector continues to benefit from His
Excellencyʼs call for a private sector-led growth,” said Dr Nzenza. “In closing, Your Excellency, we are
indeed leveraging the gains that have been sustained under your stewardship to bolster Zimbabweʼs
comparative, competitive and adaptability advantages to move the economy up the value chains.”
Dr Nzenza said Zimbabwe was defining itself as a conducive investment opportunity, evidenced by new
international, regional and local investorsʼ participation at the trade fair.
In addition, she said the emergence of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was a game
changer for the countryʼs trade prospects.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the growth momentum which was created at ZITF 2022, is intrinsic in this yearʼs
event, the ZITF Company has had to be innovative in its space management to accommodate new
international, regional and local investors,” said Dr Nzenza.
“What we have value created sets the stage for Zimbabweʼs regional and international trade through
innovation and competitiveness under Your Export Strategy.”
Vision 2030, she said, was not only aligned to international discourse but also a true reflection of
Zimbabweʼs current economic growth.
“We have been challenged not only as Zimbabwe but as a continent to leverage our increasing
interconnectedness and interdependence into intra-Africa trade focusing on changing our local markets
and consumption culture,” she said. “This challenge we have taken up through our collaboration to merge
the nationʼs innovation strategy with our local content strategy through ZIDA.” Herald
