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Natasha Kokai Herald Reporter

Government has expressed interest in public private partnerships that will drive innovation and economic development, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Professor Amon Murwira has said.

In a speech read on his behalf his permanent secretary, Professor Fanuel Tagwira, at the launch of the Atlas Convention by Science and Advanced Global Innovation Technologies (SAGIT) in Harare yesterday, Prof Murwira said innovation played a key role in driving sustainable development, spurring growth of organisations and economies by unlocking latent value.

He said the ever-changing business environment called for the formulation of innovative multi-pipeline and bridging concepts with a global perspective, hence the intensified call for innovation.

“In line with the country’s (Zimbabwe is) Open for Business policy, Government is keen on public private partnerships that will enhance innovation and drive economic development,” said Prof Murwira.

“This move by my ministry and SAGIT is an example of such PPPs.

“To this end, there has also been collaboration between this convention and the Emirates Foundation through affiliation to the Think Science World Fair to expose local talent to global platforms for innovation and technology. This, I believe, will help us enhance transforming and path-breaking initiatives that will meet our specific economic needs.”

Prof Murwira said the integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the Atlas Convention and innovation challenge initiatives will see civil society, the private sector and Government implementing and operationalising the shared vision towards attaining Vision 2030.

“The Atlas Convention will bridge the gap between academia and industry, setting the stage for the establishment of a broad-based economy with a more diverse industry and export portfolio,” he said.

“Our aim is to convert innovation potential to commercial products and services which will steer economic growth, hence the theme for the convention is “igniting infinite possibilities”.

“I am pleased to say that our country has a huge store of innovative talent with great potential to provide solutions to the country’s most pressing problems.

“The aim of the convention is to showcase to industry some of the prototypes that have been developed and enable partnerships that will bring solutions to the problems faced by industry.

“Academia will be able to explore their technology talent, while solving real life and industry-based challenges.”

SAGIT representative Mr Tamuka Macheka said the initiative was set to redefine the innovation agenda in Zimbabwe through creation of opportunities for collaboration between industry and academia that transcended conventional organisational boundaries.

“The ever-changing business landscape requires formulation of multi-pipeline innovative solutions and cross-sector bridging concepts with a global perspective,” he said