First Lady calls for innovation, diligence

graceFrom Lloyd Gumbo in VICTORIA FALLS
Zimbabwe requires research, diligence and networking platforms in order to survive the prevailing economic challenges, First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe has said.

Amai Mugabe made the remarks while delivering her keynote address at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Presidential Awards and Dinner ceremony here last night.

“The theme of tonight’s gathering: ‘Economic Transformation in a New Normal Economy: New Challenges, New Ideas’, is very appropriate as it dovetails with the objectives of our economic blueprint Zim-Asset,” Amai Mugabe said.

“The achievement of the objectives of Zim-Asset requires unity of purpose, hard work and an unyielding consistency in running and managing the different businesses represented here.”

She applauded all the companies who won awards saying they took bold steps to build excellence in their fields.

The companies, the First Lady said, remained resolute and innovative through the economic challenges the country faced.

Zimbabwe, she said, still had lots of ground to cover in defining its economic key skills competencies in order to enable it to compete on a global level.

“Our service sector still holds great promise as a potential exporter with areas like information communication technology, medical and financial services centres providing fertile ground for further investment.

“In our climate, we enjoy a major competitive advantage, which we can transform into tangible benefits for the country,” said Amai Mugabe.

She said that Zimbabwe was not spared from the serious food shortages facing the world due to climate change.

To that end, she implored delegates to promote investment in agriculture and agro-processing.

She hailed the ZNCC for the role it played in the country in driving the growth of the economy.

“It is common knowledge that these are trying times for the Zimbabwean economy. However, I believe that the obstacles on our economic path require research, diligence and networking platforms such as tonight’s in order to navigate the challenging economic terrain and overcome the impediments to the re-invigoration of the country’s economy.

“It is heartening to note that some of the entities earmarked for recognition tonight are small-to-medium-scale enterprises. I am especially proud to note further that women are among the nominees,” the First Lady said.

She said the services provided by this resilient sector to the economy were well appreciated as they contributed immensely to the overall economic growth of the country.

The First Lady said recognising such entities and the individuals who run them was expected to encourage others to emulate them to influence bigger economic benefits.

“I want to congratulate the ZNCC president (Mr Davison Norupiri) and his team on the motivational tradition of honouring and encouraging business people in their efforts to move Zimbabwe into a viable and regenerating economy.

“We need more of such voices and interventions in order to embolden and reassure our people while putting our detractors to shame.

“Once more, I wish to applaud the business sector for its keen sense of duty and the time it invests in keeping the wheels of the economy turning. Forward with new ideas that will strengthen the steps towards economic transformation,” said Amai Mugabe.

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