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Minister Bimha

Lovemore Mataire and Kuda Bwititi—
ENHANCING economic performance, tackling corruption and reinvigorating Zim-Asset formed part of the key resolutions that were made at the just-ended ZANU PF 15th Annual National People’s Conference in Victoria Falls. All presentations made by Cabinet ministers centred on issues that impact on the daily lives of ordinary people. In its major recommendation, the Food, Security and Nutrition Committee urged Government to “Develop and implement strategy to ensure adequate food availability between now till harvesting (time) in 2017.”

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Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Government has enough maize stocks to last the next 10 months, but would mobilise more to ensure enough grain stocks by April 2017.

The Social Services and Poverty Eradication cluster submitted that Government must settle its outstanding arrears owed to schools under the Basic Education Assistance Module and increase budget allocation to assist vulnerable children in desperate need of education.

“Government must strengthen monitoring system to ensure that all vulnerable people receive services and should increase support for social protection in services for women, youth and the vulnerable,” reads part of the presentation by the cluster.

Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo said 2015 recorded a significant achievement as the number of graduates from higher and tertiary institutions soared by 37.6 percent.

As part of its endeavours, the ministry intends to champion value addition and beneficiation through a number of initiatives such as establishing diamond cutting and polishing training institution and production of creams for skin protection.

Prof Moyo said his ministry had identified a number of projects to reduce unemployment and eradicate poverty.

“Biodiesel project involving conversion of jatropha seed into fuel by Finealt Engineering is now at a quality testing stage. Oxygen and acetylene production project by Verify Engineering is now at test run stage. Tissue culture project by the National Biotechnology of Zimbabwe involving the production of virus free seedlings for root and tuber crops is now operational.

“Establishment of additional bio-safety sub-offices for control of harmful products at Kazungula, Harare International Airport, Nyamapanda and Victoria Falls was completed bringing the total number to eight. Implementation of Graduate Entrepreneurial Employment Promotion Programme in all 10 provinces

focusing on construction, business consultancy, mechanization, poultry, fishery and bakery,” he said. Industry and Commerce Minister Cde Mike Bimha said thousands of jobs were set to be created as a number of key manufacturing companies have been revitalised owing to a cocktail of measures that Government adopted.

Some of the companies on resurgence include Star Africa Corporation, Olivine Industries, Trade Kings Zimbabwe, Quest Motors Corporation, Deven Engineering and Bata Shoe Company.

Cde Bimha said another local company Capri also launched a new refrigerator plant worth $12 million in June 2015 and is expected to increase from 5 000 units to 18 000 units per month. He said Dorowa Minerals which has been dormant had also secured $5 million from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to boost its phosphate production, which is expected to rise to full capacity.

Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Cde Walter Mzembi said his portfolio had emerged as one of the key drivers of economic growth with the sector set to generate over $1 billion in revenue.

The Minister of Home Affairs Cde Ignatius Chombo who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr Joseph Made, said cotton farmers were set to receive a major boost as government was providing free inputs for the next three years.

The Youth League secretary Cde Pupurai Togarepi said his organ was advocating for more access to state procurement and tender deals. “We are calling all state procurement protocols and tender systems to have a bias towards the empowerment of youth entrepreneurs by establishing a quota system in the awarding of tender at 25 percent from the already legislated 50 percent,” Cde Togarepi said.

Defence Minister Cde Sydney Sekeramayi requested that Government should consider exempting war veterans from taxes and levies, including toll fees and land taxes in recognition of their supreme sacrifice to the liberation struggle.