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Beitbridge Bureau
The Government has launched a nationwide marketing campaign that seeks to promote capacity building and raise production in local industries. The Minister of industry and commerce, Mike Bimha said at a function hosted by Buy Zimbabwe in Beitbridge on Wednesday that the campaign will run from September 30 to 16 December.

In a speech read on his behalf by the deputy director for heavy industries and enterprises development, Mr Dayford Nhema, the minister retailers should also work with Government and manufacturers to increase economic fortunes in the country.

“We should shout from the rooftops about our great produce and expect all parts of the supply chain to do likewise. Manufactures should respond by playing an active role in providing quality products” said Minister Bimha.

“It is worth noting that in the contemporary global economic arena, import substitution and export orientation are not mutually exclusive but rather competitive strategies in achieving growth and economic stability”.

He said it was of paramount importance for Government to embrace the need to boost domestic companies through the promotion of its brands.

The minister added that Government had come up with the Buy Zimbabwe initiative which was a significant tool for economic restructuring.

“It helps us not to lose sight of the fact that the responsibility of advancing a competitive economic environment belongs to us all. If we are to advance a real and vibrant economy, all stakeholders will need to share in the responsibility of investment and risk.

“In light of the foregoing, the Buy Zimbabwe initiative is in line with Zim-Asset and the 10 Point-Plan for economic growth , recently announced by President Robert Mugabe in his state on the nation address” he said.

Minister Bimha said his ministry has been engaging local retailers on the steps they have to take to transform their approach to local sourcing.