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UPDATES: FARIRAI MACHIVENYIKA

0854: President Mnangagwa is this morning expected to launch the Zimbabwe Information Technology Company, a subsidiary of TelOne in Msasa, Harare.

The President has taken his seat at the podium

0858: Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet gives his opening remarks.

0859: He invites Minister of ICT’s, Postal and Courier Services Jenfan Muswere to give his remarks.

0902: He said the launch of the National Device Assembly would ensure availability of ICTs to the public service and general market.

0903: Says his ministry would work with that of Higher and Tertiary Education, SME’s, Industry and Commerce for the development of ICT sector.

0904: Says the factory will change the ICT sector in Zimbabwe and save the country foreign currency through import substitution. He ends his address.

0906: Brig Gen Wekwete from the Office of the President and Cabinet gives an overview of the plant. He says the plant can produce laptops, cellphones, desktop computers among others.  He says the factory has partnered manufacturers of ICT hardware that would supply components for assembly.

The President being shown some of the products that would be produced under the infinity brand

0915: Brig Gen Wekwete says the assembly of gadgets will go a long in achieving smart governance and success of the NDS1 adding that education sector’s e-learning program stand to benefit greatly. He appeals to stakeholders to support the company.

0958: The President has officially opened the factory.

1018: Minister of Defence and War Veterans Affairs Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri now introducing the guest of honour, President Mnangagwa.

1020: She says the factory is a state of the art factory and will drive the agenda to modernise the economy and achieve Vision 2030. She says are critical in eliminating corruption.

1023: The President now takes to the podium

1027: He says the launch is historic and a collaborative effort of Government agencies to modernise the country

1028: He says the completion of the project in the face of the Covid19 pandemic was symbolic of his Government’s commitment to achieve high impact projects within set timelines.

1029: The President thanked the Chinese for providing technical support.

1031: He says the facility will provide a platform for innovations and import substitution.

1032: President Mnangagwa challenged the ICT sector to devise ways of making Zimbabwe a technological hub adding that institutions of higher learning should also be innovative to ensure achievement of the fourth industrial revolution.

1034: He directs Government ministries to migrate from manual to ICT systems.  He also urges private sector to harness intellectual capacity in the country.

1037: The President said the economic sanctions should not tie the nation down. He expresses gratitude for the the donation of 1500 computers that include 900 desktops and 600 laptops. The gadgets would be used by various Government departments.

1040: He declares the facility officially opened.

1441: President Mnangagwa has arrived for the launch of the second phase of Covid-19 vaccination in Victoria Falls.