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that some corporates find themselves in, there are others that have found their way round the challenges to register growth.
It also means the current environment, fraught with one challenge or the other, is also pregnant with waves of opportunity  that firms can ride on to overcome the economic storms that sometimes appear so harsh and overwhelming.

Certainly CBZ, with interests in commercial banking, mortgage finance, asset management, insurance and property, is one company that has consistently posted  steady growth over the past few years, unfazed by the state of the economy.
A glance at its financial statements will tell the story of a giant that continue to soar to dizzy heights.

It  is one solid firm that I can safely recommend to mentor others that may be needing a bigger brother to learn from.
It has also been a leader in terms of lending to productive sectors of the economy and to small and medium-sized entrepreneurs.
Recently the group celebrated its 32nd anniversary where Vice President Joice Mujuru commended it for a job well done, stating it was a crucial partner in the economic  empowerment drive

Other firms that quickly come to mind for operating shoulders above the rest are Econet and Delta Corporation. Banks such as Kingdom Bank and FBC Bank have also not disappointed.

Delta, the most capitalised stock on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, reached US$1 billion market share, representing at least 25 percent of total market cap on the bourse.

Such high market cap reflects the value assigned to the company by buyers and sellers of its stock. In this instance, they are making a statement that Delta is indeed a firm of note.

The company, which has spruced up operations in the last few years through investment in new bottling plants and other initiatives, has managed to hold its on in the beverages sector. It almost succumbed to competition from imports about five years ago but it was quick to adopt strategies from which it has emerged stronger. Delta has managed to shrug off competition from imports. On the local market it does not face much competition, particularly in the beer segment. Who has the millions of dollars to set up a brewery in such an illiquid market?

Invictus Securities recently projected a 31 percent jump in Delta profits to US$98 million on the back of increased volumes.
The beverage giant has over the years employed strategies that have paid off handsomely. It is a corporate giant from which others can also learn. Econet, the firm awash with cash, has been introducing new products and expanding its business left, right and centre. Even its hugely successful EcoCash product has given sleepless nights to banks.

The two parties could be in discussion to see how they can live together and adopt a prosper-thy-neighbour and co-operative competition philosophy. These companies demonstrate the possibilities that the economy has. Certainly, these are some of the shining environment of how firms can survive and even flourish when everything else is point towards their demise.

Zimbabwe has been deeply immersed in negative currents for too long so there is need to celebrate and emulate those that have done it regardless of the sanctions and other challenges confronting the economy today.

Such examples give credence to beliefs that every challenge be it global, national or individual, brings with it opportunities that can be seized to produce a better story.

The onus is on those willing to learn, to study and draw lessons on how companies can be solidly turned around and how to stave off competition and successfully wrestle back market share.

What are the driving principles of these firms? What is their corporate culture like? What good governance tenets can others draw from them? How have they managed to build successful empires that have managed to withstand the winds of adversity?

The economy is presently facing challenges such is inadequate capital for retooling,  low disposable incomes, unfair competition from cheap imports and constricting factors.

There has been so much moaning and groaning from the corporate sector and the rest of the economy but such pockets of light reflected by those firms that have made it should bring hope and even help ignite flames that look set to be blown out by these challenges.

Those that are doing well should also come to the forefront to share ideas and information on how others can also achieve good results. Of course, this is not as simple as it sounds because of competition but the giants can always share knowledge without necessarily divulging their deep secrets to success.

If we have more firms doing well, it means production levels can be increased which, in turn, will mean that more exports and better quality of products and services.

If more companies flourish it means more jobs can be created while workers will be better remunerated hence more buying power.
When the private sector smiles, Government will also smile and the economy at large will improve. So as we despair over what is not or what should have been, let’s celebrate with those that have made it across all sectors of the economy while doing everything possible to ensure the success rubs off as well.

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries’ small business linkage programme can be revived through such champions as CBZ, Delta, Econet, AfrAsia Kingdom, Zimplow  and other corporates that seem to have struck the right cord. The fact that this week alone the country has hosted a business delegation from South Africa and one from the United Arab Emirates should give a pointer that the economy is for sustainable growth.

Such interest can only mean well and the onus is on the nation to go with the flow.
The next few weeks is set to witness huge financial injections if promises by the leader of the Ras Al Khaimar emirate Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi are anything to go buy.

Discussions with the ministries of mines, tourism and hospitality and other sectors of the economy with the business delegations seem to have yielded positive outcomes.

Investor interest and growing confidence could produce better results for the economy.
However, we also need to take note that the impending elections may see some potential deals being put in abeyance.
Peaceful pre- and post-elections periods will augur well for this economy as emphasized by President Mugabe on many forums.

In God I trust

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