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Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko

Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Reporter
Government is seized with the responsibility of developing policies that support industrial growth in an effort to turnaround the economy, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko has said.Officiating at a Megafest 2014 business awards ceremony to honour outstanding organisations and citizens in business on Thursday, VP Mphoko said the business community should take advantage of Government’s policies to improve economic conditions.

“His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde R.G. Mugabe through his Government is seized with the need to develop policies that support our industries and our people, that is why we have in place the Zim-Asset blueprint,” he said.

“Further, the business community is working well with Government in identifying challenges and opportunities, the mindset of industry should be complimentary to the Government policies and support.”

VP Mphoko said youths were a critical pillar in business management and should be involved in the invention of new business ideas.

“I note that we are missing a critical category, the youth in business,” he said. “I hope in the next year when I officiate at this event you will have, hopefully, added them. We need to be innovative, develop and market some of our technologies and products such as making pudding from our indigenous fruits.”

VP Mphoko said he was pleased that women were now being recognised.

Megafest chief executive officer Mr Tafadzwa Matsika said for the economic conditions to change, companies needed to be innovative and apply extra effort.

At the awards, Zimpapers was voted number 10 out of 20 in the category of the Most Outstanding Organisation of the Year, while Unilever scooped the first prize.

Zimpapers group marketing and business development director Mr Tapiwa Mandimutsira was ranked number 19 out 50 in the Businessman of the Year category with special recognition in industry excellence.

Steward Bank chief executive Mr Kwanele Ngwenya was voted the Oustanding Businessman of the Year.

Herald managing editor Mrs Victoria Ruzvidzo came out 10th out of 50 in the category of the Influential Businesswoman of the Year with special recognition in media excellence, while NicozDiamond Insurance Limited chief executive officer Grace Muradzikwa was the outstanding women in business.