By JUDITH SIBANDA
President Emmerson Mnangagwa says his administration is working tirelessly to uproot corruption in government-run institutions in an effort to resuscitate the economy and gain international recognition.
Mnangagwa said this yesterday afternoon while officiating at the Zimbabwe Annual Mining Conference in Victoria Falls.
“Let me reassure you that my administration is committed to pursuing the ongoing reforms, so that our country is firmly back on course towards prosperity and development. In line with our Engagement and Reengagement Policy, we shall play our part to ensure that our country undertakes its affairs in line with internationally accepted practices, being always alive, however to our national interests,” he said.
“The ongoing cross cutting reforms will therefore undoubtedly enhance our country’s competitiveness as an investment destination of choice. We are determined to progressively eliminate bottlenecks, red tape and all forms of corruption within government bureaucracy.”
Mnangagwa said the convening of the conference was opportune and most appropriate as government was accelerating the quest for increased productivity across all sub sectors of the economy in general and the mining industry in particular.
“…this platform affords all stakeholders the opportunity to deliberate on key issues affecting the sector. Platforms such as this one benefit and help to ensure that the sector meaningfully contributes to the overall growth of the economy as envisioned in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.
“The mining sector is indeed a vital cog in our drive towards sustainable socio-economic prosperity and attainment of vision 2030. As you may be aware that the ministry of Mines and Mining Development has benchmarked the mining sector to become a twelve billion dollar industry by 2022.
“As a listening government, we will continue to be responsive to your views. I however challenge you to intricately balance between making profits, return on investment and the paramount national interests as well as need to improve the quality of life of our people.”
Mnangagwa said the government was unequivocal in its commitment to develop the requisite enablers such as transport, infrastructure, water and other related facilities.
He said there was need for adequate, reliable, modern and cost-efficient power supply to the success of all sectors of the economy and needed to be addressed by the government and private sector initiatives.
He also urged the institutions of higher learning and the mining sector to closely collaborate for the exploration and utilisation for the vast unexplored mineral deposits in the country.
In conclusion, the president said stakeholders in the mining industry needed to deliberate and align policy recommendations for the sector to achieve win-win for investors, government and community as a whole.
The conference which is ending today is held under the theme “Realising Vision 2030 Through Resource Led Growth” and is attended by mining companies, traditional chiefs and government players among other delegates.
